NYC Marathon Men — Kipruto Claims Win By 3/100ths!

Benson Kipruto had what looked like a safe lead with 200 left. Then Alexander Mutiso found an extra gear that nearly stole the show. (KEVIN MORRIS)

NEW YORK CITY, November 02 — After an uneventful opening 16 miles, the 54th New York City Marathon gradually turned into a thrilling duel that yielded the closest finish in race history. Benson Kipruto held off fellow Kenyan Alexander Mutiso by a mere 0.03 (you read that right) for the win.

The early pace had been conservative, despite sunny and comfortable conditions (50F/10C at the start). The lead pack came through 5K in 15:11 and 10K in 30:22, then slowed to 46:01 at 15K and 1:01:45 at 20K. The halfway mark was reached in 1:05:18 with 22 athletes still together. The convoy included two-time Olympic champion and former World Record holder Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya, making his NYC debut a few days before his 41st birthday.

The race finally got interesting in the 16th and 17th miles, with American Hillary Bor, in his debut at the distance, stringing out the field with 4:45 and 4:40 miles. Just 8 men remained at the front and the pace slowed to 5:08 in the 21st mile, a brief respite before the final push to the finish.

By the 23rd mile, the tempo quickened again and soon it was down to a 4-man race between Kipruto, Mutiso, their compatriot Albert Korir (the â€21 NYC champion) and Patrick Dever of Great Britain. A mile later, Kipruto and Mutiso broke away, quickly opening a gap on Korir and Dever. They covered the 25th mile in 4:30, with Mutiso running just behind Kipruto.

Finally, in the 26th mile Mutiso drew even, but Kipruto soon surged ahead at Columbus Circle entering Central Park for the final time with about 600 meters to go. He appeared to be headed for a comfortable victory, but about 200 meters from the finish Mutiso found another gear and came charging. Kipruto responded, pushing hard to the line. Both men raised their arms at the line, credited with identical times of 2:08:09. Kipruto got the nod on the photo finish. Thanks to the dawdling early pace they were far off the course record (2:04:58), but time is rarely the point on New Yorkâ€s demanding route.

“I was aware that Mutiso was behind, and it was so close, and I knew because I know Mutiso also is a strong guy,†said Kipruto, the Olympic bronze medalist in â€24 who had previously won World Marathon Majors in Boston (â€21), Chicago (â€22) and Tokyo (â€24). “But I never lost hope through the last stages of the race.â€

He earned $100,000 for the win, while Mutiso took home $60,000. “Iâ€m happy with todayâ€s performance,†said Mutiso, the winner in London last year. “It was not easy. It was hard. But I said I will fight until the finishing point. I knew Benson is very strong, but I said keep pushing and following him until the finishing line.â€

Korir (2:08:57) managed to break away from Dever (2:08:58) on the final climb to the finish for 3rd. Switzerlandâ€s Matthias Kyburz (2:09:55) took 5th, holding off Joel Reichow (2:09:56), who was the top American. Reichow had been 12th as late as 24 miles but finished strongly. Charles Hicks (7th in 2:09:59), who has dual citizenship with the U.S. and Great Britain, and Joe Klecker (10th, 2:10:37) also broke into the top 10, while Bor (2:10:47) faded to 12th.

“We just kind of started to see some of the top American guys coming back to us going into mile 24,†said Reichow, an unsponsored journeyman who finished 18th in New York last year then won the Grandmaâ€s Marathon in Minnesota in June. “Honestly, Iâ€d just been convincing myself just to stay on the group we were at. Then I was in the situation, OK, thereâ€s an opportunity here. Just keep the pressure on, see what we can do and just trust yourself.â€

Defending champion Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands, the Olympic silver medalist in â€21, dropped out after 18 miles.

Kipchoge stuck with the chase pack through 17 miles before finishing 17th in 2:14:36. After the race he indicated that he is stepping away from professional racing, though he will continue to run marathons. He was pleased to finally complete all the Marathon Majors. “I can say proudly I am a real marathon runner now because I have a Six Star Medal,†he said with typical understatement, “and this one signifies a real, real legacy in sport.â€

NYC MARATHON MENâ€S RESULTS

(point-to-point)

1. Benson Kipruto’ (Ken) 2:08:09; 2. Alexander Mutiso’ (Ken) 2:08:09; 3. Albert Korir’ (Ken) 2:08:47; 4. Patrick Dever’ (GB) 2:08:58; 5. Matthias Kyburz’ (Swi) 2:09:55; 6. Joel Reichow (MnDistE) 2:09:56; 7. Charles Hicks’ (GB) 2:09:59; 8. Sondre Nordstad Moen’ (Nor) 2:10:15; 9. Tsegay Tuemay’ (Eri) 2:10:36; 10. Joe Klecker (On) 2:10:37; 11. Daniele Meucci’ (Ita) 2:10:40; 12. Hillary Bor (Hoka) 2:10:47.

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