He shrugged off the other guard with about three miles left of the race in a sunny but rather cold New York. It was seven degrees when the race started.

The reigning champion, Ethiopian Lelisa Desisa, made an attempt to defend the title just 29 days after the World Cup title in the urgent hot Doha. After about a mile the Ethiopian stepped off.

Kenyans won in their marathon debut

It became doubly Kenyan in the main classes as Joyciline Jepkosgei became the fastest lady in her debut on the distance. The time 2.22.38 was just seven seconds above the track record.

With about five kilometers left to run, Jepkosgei pulled away from compatriot Mary Keitany, who won the competition four times. She was almost a minute behind. After the finish, Keitany collapsed.

Swedish veteran Mustafa Mohamed passed halfway at 1.04.56 but had a tough second half and lost considerably and ran in goal at 2.19.41. Thus, the second half went on 1.14.45.

50000 runners ran on New York's streets.