Photo: Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty (2)

Kenyan Runners Albert Korir and Peres Jepchirchir Win 50th New York City Marathon

It was a great day for Kenya as the 50th New York City Marathon commenced in the Big Applefor the first time in two years.

Kenyan runners Albert Korir and Peres Jepchirchirtook home goldin the men’s and women’s races, respectively, after completing the five-borough race on Sunday. Korir, 27, finished with a time of two hours, eight minutes, and 22 seconds, while Jepchirchir, 28, came in at two hours, 22 minutes, and 39 seconds.

Korir’s victory was a long time coming after he came in second place during 2019’s N.Y.C. Marathon, the last time the event was held before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jepchirchir is coming off her gold medal win at the Tokyo Olympics, where she came in first in the women’s marathon. She’s the first woman to win a marathon major in the fall after winning an Olympic gold medal.

Marcel Hug of Switzerland prevailed in the men’s wheelchair race for the fourth time, crossing the finish line 6½ minutes before the next racer, with a time of one hour, 31 minutes, and 24 seconds. After winning two gold medals and a bronze at the Tokyo Paralympics, Australia’s Madison de Rozario won the women’s wheelchair race, coming in at one hour, 51 minutes, and one second.

Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty

Men’s Wheelchair winner Marcel Hug of Switzerland and Women’s Wheelchair winner Madison de Rozario of Australia pose at the finish line during the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon in New York on November 7, 2021.

This year, 33,000 runners, including a variety of celebrities from television, movies, music, and sports, participated in the 50th running of the 26.2-mile race.

The race kicked off, as always, on Staten Island. Leaving the borough via the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the race took runners through Brooklyn and then into Queens before reaching Manhattan. After a trip up into the Bronx, runners headed back down into Manhattan and finished in Central Park.

According toABC 7 New York, to mark the 50th running of the marathon, several of the first finishers from the inaugural 1970 race werehonored at the Opening Ceremonyon Friday, and at the marathon finish line on Sunday.

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“The TCS New York City Marathon has influenced and inspired so many people around the world for more than five decades, and to think it all started with 127 runners in Central Park is incredible,” New York Road Runners Vice President of Events and race director Ted Metellus said. “We are honored to bring back some of the First Finishers from the 1970 race.”

The marathon — the largest in the world — is a signature event of NYRR, a community running organization. It takes place on the first Sunday of November, annually, though was canceled due to the pandemic last year.

To view full results from the marathon on the NYRR site,click here.

source: people.com