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What We Learned: NYC Marathon Edition

Published by
DyeStatPRO.com   Nov 2nd 2014, 8:28pm
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Kenyans Sweet, Americans Shine

By Scott Bush

Challenging conditions may have put a stop to any course record attempts, but it did make for close-knit fields for over 20 miles of both the men's and women's races Sunday at the TCS New York City Marathon. In the end, Wilson Kipsang and Mary Keitany gave Kenya a double victory, but those victories weren't the only things we learned.

2014 NYC Marathon Results

Wilson Kipsang is a Rich Man

Kipsang is the best marathoner in the world, hands down, no questions asked. The former world record holder won Berlin in 2013 (where he ran 3:02:23), won London this past spring, then put on a clinic over the half mile in NYC to win by seven seconds. The Kenyan looked so smooth over the entire race, show strength, toughness and speed. Not only did Kipsang win NYC and take home the $100,000 top prize on Sunday, he also won the World Marathon Majors title, taking home a cool $500,000. It'll be interesting to see what Kipsang chooses to do in the spring, but don't be surprised if he goes after Dennis Kimetto's 2:02:57, as we're sure he wants to take back his record.

Keitany is Back

It's been two years since Kenyan Mary Keitany last ran a marathon. After taking time off to start a family, the superstar showed that she'll be a threat in any race over the next few years. Many anticipated a classic showdown between Keitany and Edna Kiplagat, but that race simply never transpired, as Kiplagat faded early on in the race. Keitany ran in the middle of the pack for the vast majority of the race and only in the final miles did she make her move, picking up the pace, dropping most of her competition and outkicking Jemima Sumgong over the final 800m to take home the victory.

Keitany dominated at the Great North Run earlier this fall, running sub-66 for the half marathon distance. That race alone showed what Keitany is capable of, but 26.2 miles is a bit different. Similar to Kipsang's race, Keitany used her superior speed to outkick her closest competitor, finally coming up with the win in NYC - a place a win has alluded her.

Never Doubt Meb

There was plenty of pre-race buzz wondering if Meb Keflezighi could mirror his success in Boston this past spring in NYC. Similarly, there were plenty of fans voicing their concern about the heavy media schedule Meb has worked over the past bunch of months. On another similar note, the consistent wave of attention placed on the 39-year old's age is almost a cry to say Meb can't hang anymore. 

So many doubters, so little time (2 hours, thirteen minutes and seventheen seconds) to prove them wrong. The American marathoning legend not only led large parts of Sunday's race, but hung on at the end for a fourth place finish, beating two-time champion Geoffrey Mutai and Olympic and World champion Stephen Kiprotich. What we've learned is to never, ever discount Meb if he's in the race, especially when he's healthy. The master of the marathon continues to put his foot down as one of the all-time greats in American history (or is he the best ever?).

Linden Tough As Nails

Desiree Linden finished tenth at the Boston Marathon in one of the best marathons in history. She ran a tactical race, should have finished much higher, but the hot early pace pulled away her top competitors too far up for her to catch them. On Sunday, she attacked early, putting herself at the back of the pack and continuing to hold on. While she fell off and dropped out of the top five, ultimately Linden held strong, picking off a few runners at the end to finish fifth overall. Linden's progress after her devastating 2012 injury continues to trend upwards and in New York she showed she is not only one of the top two Americans at the moment, but can also lay claim to being one of the top 12 marathoners in the world. 

Sumgong's On The Edge

Jemima Sumgong took Mary Keitany to the line, almost. Keitany's fellow countrywoman continues to show she's one of the world's best, but just a half step off from winning big. For Sumgong, she finished second, three seconds off the win, earning her second runner-up finish in 13 months (she was second in Chicago '13). All of this coming off a fourth place effort at the Boston Marathon. The thing about finishing high consistently, it shows you can win, even if you don't. Sumgong has never finished outside of the top five in a marathon, ever, and Sunday's race proves once again that it's almost her time to finish atop of the podium. 

Favorites to Make the Olympic Team

The established guard of American marathoning is changing, rapidly. While Meb Keflezighi continues to shine as America's best male marathoner and Shalane Flanagan and Desiree Linden are clearly positioned as America's top female marathoners, the rest of the top challenge spots to make the 2016 Olympic Team are wide open. Ryan Hall and Dathan Ritzenhein certainly have the talent to make the men's squad, but each continues to deal inury and inconsistency. Deena Kastor hasn't quite proven she's capable of running sub-2:30 again, at least yet, while Kara Goucher is still far off from her former self. 

That means it's time for some younger, up-and-coming talents to take charge. Ryan Vail and Nick Arciniaga finished ninth and tenth in the men's race Sunday - finishing as second and third Americans. They mixed it up, ran with the leaders and showed they are poised to be key challengers at the Olympic Trials in 2016, assuming they stay injury-free. Meanwhile, Annie Bersagel could very well claim the third spot on the women's team, having won the USA Marathon Championships last fall, winning the Dusseldorf Marathon this spring, then placing tenth overall as the second American in NYC. The marathon is changing in the United States and there is some serious, fresh talent ready to shine.



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