Prodigy wins New York marathon

REIGNING world marathon champion Ghirmay Ghebreslassie of Eritrea won the 40th New York City Marathon men’s crown on Sunday, while Kenya’s Mary Keitany took her third consecutive women’s title.

Ghebreslassie won his New York debut in an official time of two hours, seven minutes and 51 seconds – only five seconds off his personal best, set in London.

“Winning the New York Marathon is one of my best dreams,” Ghebreslassie said. “I’m really proud of my victory. Nobody from Eritrea has won this marathon before. I’m really proud.”

Eight days shy of his 21st birthday, the prodigy accelerated at the halfway mark and pulled away to become the first men’s champion since 2010 from outside Kenya.

Kenya’s Lucas Rotich was second in 2:08:53, with 39-year-old American Abdi Abdirahman third in 2:11:23.

In the women’s race, Keitany also pulled away to an overwhelming victory, the 34-year-old mother of two winning in 2:24:26.

Keitany, the second-fastest woman in marathon history behind Britain’s Paula Radcliffe, has the longest New York women’s win streak since Norway’s Grete Waitz took five in a row from 1982-1986.

Kenya’s Sally Kipyego was second in 2:28:01, 12 seconds ahead of American Molly Huddle, third in her marathon debut. Kenya’s Joyce Chepkirui, third in Boston this year, was fourth in 2:29:08.