Sweden's Almgren Becomes First Swede to Win New York City Marathon
Swedish runner Andreas Almgren won the New York City Marathon on his marathon debut, giving Sweden its first title at the event. Kenya's Sheila Chepkirui took the women's race for a second time.
Andreas Almgren, a Swedish long- and middle-distance runner, won the New York City Marathon on Sunday, one of the most prestigious road races in the sport. It is the first victory by a Swede at the event. In the women's race, Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya claimed her second win in New York.
Men's race
Almgren, 31, was running a marathon for the first time. He crossed the line in two hours, six minutes and one second. Late in the race the Swede pulled away from Italy's Yemaneberhan Crippa, who finished 13 seconds behind.
In a tight fight for third place, Kamohelo Mofolo of Lesotho beat last year's champion, Kenya's Benson Kipruto. Mofolo finished 25 seconds after the winner, with Kipruto just one second further back.
Almgren is the reigning world half-marathon champion. This season he also won gold in the 10,000 metres at the European Championships.
Women's race
Chepkirui won in two hours, 24 minutes and 36 seconds. She beat American Jessica McClain by six seconds, while McClain was one second ahead of Kenya's Hellen Obiri.
End of the season
New York was the last of this season's seven World Marathon Majors races. Earlier, runners competed in Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin and Chicago.
