Flanagan and Kamworor win New York Marathon

New York: Shalane Flanagan became the first American woman in 40 years to win the New York Marathon, joining Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor in winning a first major marathon crown just five days after a deadly Manhattan truck attack that left eight people dead.

Flanagan, coming off a back injury that kept her from racing at Boston, captured her breakthrough title at age 36 in 2’26:53 and was in tears on the podium on Sunday.

“This is a moment I’ve dreamed of since I was a little girl,” Flanagan said.

“It’s indescribable. These are the moments we dream of to realise our potential and see how incredible we can be.”

Expanded security lined the route of the world-famous race, which saw an estimated 50,000 runners from more than 125 nations compete over 42.195km across the city streets.

New York’s recent tragedy revived memories of the 2013 Boston Marathon that was targeted by bombers, but the carnage also helped inspire Flanagan’s triumphant run.

“It has been a tough week for New Yorkers and a tough week for our nation and I thought what better gift than to make our nation and our people smile,” Flanagan said. “I thought of that when I began to feel the pain.”

Not since Miki Gorman in 1977 had a US woman won on the “Big Apple” streets.

Kamworor took his first victory at the distance in his seventh marathon start.

Two years after losing the lead late in the race, Kamworor held off compatriot Wilson Kipsang to win in a time of 2’10:53.

“I’m so happy. I feel so great to be the champion,” Kamworor said. — AFP