Sharon Lokedi stuns for NYC Marathon win in her debut; Evans Chebet claims men's in Kenyan sweep

First time, first place.

That was the story on Sunday (6 November) at the New York City Marathon for Kenya's Sharon Lokedi, who became just the eighth runner in the race's history to win on their debut.

She did it with a superb performance, clocking in a 2:23:23, seven seconds ahead of Lonah Chemtai Salpeter of Israel (2:23:30) and 16 seconds ahead of reigning world champion Gotytom Gebreslase of Ethiopia (2:23:39).

It was an all-Kenyan sweep in New York for the first time since 2019, with Evans Chebet becoming the first man to win both the Boston and New York marathons in the same year since his compatriot Geoffrey Mutai did so in 2011.

Chebet overtook leader Daniel Do Nascimento at mile marker 20 and held off a late charge from Shura Kitata, Chebet registering a 2:08:41 and Kitata 12 seconds behind with a 2:08:54.

Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands finished in third with a 2:10:31.

Do Nascimento had put on an impressive show through the first half of the race, running a 1:01:22 half marathon - a clear two minutes ahead of the chase pack. But he could not keep up that pace, stepping off the course at mile 20, clearly unable to continue.

The NYC Marathon was back in full capacity this year, after being cancelled in 2020 and held with limited participants a year ago. Over 50,000 runners were expected for the race, which is largely considered the biggest marathon in the world.

New York is the final stop of the yearly six World Marathon Majors.

MORE: NYC Marathon - everything to know | Records, previous winners

Lokedi: 'I'm out of words'

American Des Linden, the Rio 2016 bronze medallist, was an early leader, but a pack of four formed midway through the race, including the top three finishers and another Kenyan, Hellen Obiri, a two-time Olympic silver medallist in the 5000m

But as the runners made their way from Central Park South into Central Park for the final stretch, Lokedi had emerged as the leader - and maintained that position through the end, raising her arms aloft as she crossed the tape at the finish line.

"I'm out of words," she said on U.S. broadcaster ESPN. "I'm really excited. I'm just happy that I just won. I don't know what to say. I'm so happy that I did it here. The course was amazing - the cheers. I'm just thankful."

Lokedi's previous notable title was as an NCAA champion - in 2018 in the 10,000m at Kansas.

Does this mean Lokedi will become a staple on the elite marathon circuit?

"I'm just going to enjoy this," she told reporters. "I'm going to go back got to [my training base] Arizona. We're going to lay out for the plan for moving forward. I don't know... it was great today [laughs]."

She added: "I didn't expect to win, but I expected to run well."

For Chebet, there was no being tempted by the blistering pace set by Do Nascimento, the Boston champion biding his time - literally - and trusting that he would eventually overtake the Brazilian.

"I knew how far [in front] he was," Chebet said via an interpreter. "But I knew that it was hot and humid. I know that I have a lot of experience and that I was going to pass him."

Chebet said his Boston win gave him confidence coming into Boston. His training group - which features two-time and reigning Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, Amos Kipruto and Benson Kipruto - have swept the Marathon Majors in 2022.

Wheelchair division: Hug, Scaroni set course records

Not only did Switzerland's Marcel Hug capture his fifth NYC Marathon men's wheelchair title (2013, 16-17, 21 and 22), but he did so by smashing the course record with a time of 1:25:26 - the best time ever by some four minutes.

The two-time Paralympic champion in the marathon in both 2016 and 2020, Hug has six Paralympic golds and 12 Paralympic medals in total.

"It was a fantastic race, we had great conditions," Hug said on ESPN. "I was trying to have a fast race; that was the plan. Everything was perfect. When we come here with the crowd, the atmosphere is amazing. I still have some goals - [and] today's was the break the record."

American Daniel Romanchuk finished second.

Romanchuk's compatriot Susannah Scaroni also set a course record, clocking in at 1:42:43 to win the women's wheelchair. The 31-year-old won Paralympic gold at Tokyo 2020 in the 5000m and claimed bronze in the 800m.

Her win follows up her title at the Chicago Marathon just a few weeks ago, which was her first World Marathon Majors triumph.

"Through multiple setbacks, I've been able to really do well this year. I enjoy pushing my racing chair through it," said Scaroni, who was hit by a car while training in September of 2021. 

"In Tokyo I saw that my speed really increased. During the pandemic, I was one of those athletes that really thrived in that training atmosphere," she said. "It's come together and really helped me be a really well-rounded athlete." 

Hug also won in Chicago and has now captured 18 Marathon Majors in total.