Record Smashed In New York

7 NOV2011

New York is returning to its normal frantic pace today after a remarkable 2011 marathon which saw 40,000 plus participants (47,000 people entered) pound the streets of the city spurred on by the rapturous support of huge enthusiastic crowds.

At the business end of the race Geoffrey won the battle of the Mutais; the Boston marathon winner smashing the course record by more than 2 and a half minutes to finish first in 2:05:06. Fellow Kenyan, the 2011 London marathon champion Emmanuel Mutai was second in 2:06:28 ahead of Tsegaye Kebede (2:07:14), both dipping inside the previous course record.

A handful of runners passed through the half-way mark in 63:18, which was fast by New York standards but didn't suggest a big new record. Up until mile 21, Geoffrey Mutai still had company, including namesake Emmanuel Mutai. Last year's New York and London winners, Gebre Gebremariam and Tsegaye Kebede were also in the mix. But shortly after going through that marker in 1:40:53, Mutai began to pull away.

Over the final five miles, Mutai managed to open up a gap of almost a minute and a half over the rest of the field. His decisive victory came on the back of the fastest marathon in history - 2:03:02 in Boston in April, although that did not count as a world record because the course is considered too straight and too downhill. Mutai is now the favourite for next summer's Olympics.

The women's race was won by Ethiopian Firehiwot Dado, in a time of 2:23:15 edging her compatriot Buzunesh Deba by four seconds. Dado, 27, making her New York debut, ran a personal best for the distance and said post-race that she had been encouraged by the support she had received in her local neighbourhood in the Bronx.

Third place was reigning London Marathon champion, Mary Keitany of Kenya, who led from the start until she was overtaken by the two Ethiopians with just a mile to run. She finished 23 seconds behind.

Britain's Jo Pavey ran close to her 2:28:24 personal best, set on her marathon debut in London earlier this year and would have been happy with finishing eighth in 2:28:42 on this tough course.

One runner who received great support from the boisterous New York crowd was supermodel Christy Turlington Burns who finished in a highly respectable 4:20:47. The catwalk queen was running for the charity she founded recently - Every Mother Counts.

One runner Craig Smith summed up the experience for the runner in the pack: "Great memory from yesterday morning. I finished in 3:29:43. I found the course tough but the crowds carried me through. The weather was amazing. The organisation was brilliant and thanks to all of the volunteers, NYPD and NYFD who lined the route too and cheered us on."