African runners won both the men’s and women’s titles at Sunday’s New York City Marathon, while recently rescued Chilean miner Edison Pena reached his goal of finishing the race in under six hours.
Making his debut in the 42.2 kilometer race, Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia took the men’s title in two hours, eight minutes and 14 seconds. Kenyan Edna Kiplagat won the women’s race to earn her first major marathon championship in two hours, 28 minutes and 20 seconds.
A different Ethiopian runner, world record holder Haile Gebrselassie, had been favored to win the men’s race. But the legendary distance runner pulled out of the race after about 25 kilometers with an injury to his right knee. He then announced his retirement.
Pena was among the some 45,000 runners taking part in the race and showed the determination that helped him survive more than two months underground. Crowds cheered the 34-year-old Chilean on as he ran the marathon in just under six hours despite a knee injury he suffered in the mine collapse.
Pena had jogged in the mine tunnels until being rescued along with 32 other miners last month.
In the men’s race Emmanuel Mutai of Kenya finished second, 1:03 back, while third place went to his countryman, Moses Kigen Kipkosgei .
For the women, American Shalane Flanagan took second place in her debut marathon finishing 20 seconds back , while Mary Keitany of Kenya was third .
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