By Clay Shaw

NEW YORK, NY—Shalane Flanagan who won the 2017 NYC Marathon finished a solid third in 2018 in 2:26:22. The Marathon was held on November 4. Afterwards at the press conference, there were lots of questions about retirement at age 37.  The answers of course come after recovery, careful thought, and family and coach decisions. Thirty-seven is not old, especially when looking at the 2018 results with only one woman in her 20s in the top 10, and just two in the top 14.  Mary Keitany of Kenya had another big win, with a 2:22:48 at 36.  Second place, Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya (2:26:02) is 35.  Molly Huddle of Rhode Island was fourth with a PB of 2:26:44 at age 34.  Roberta Groner of NJ was top Masters and 12^th overall in 2:31:01.

Allie Kieffer of NY was seventh in 2:28:12 in a new PR, just behind Desiree Linden (2:27:51), the 2018 storm-blown Boston Marathon champion.

The men’s race was entertaining as two-time Boston champ Lilesa Desisa of Ethiopia won in 2:05:59.  Shura Kitata of Ethiopia was second in 2:06:01, and 2017 NYC Marathon champ Geoffrey Kamworor third in 2:06:26.  Jared Ward of Utah, led four American in the top ten.  Ward was sixth in 2:12:24, Scott Fauble was seventh in PB time of 2:12:28.  Shadrack Biwott of Folsom, CA was ninth in 2:12:52, with Chris Derrick of Portland OR in 10^TH in 2:13:08.

Former track star Bernard Lagat of Tucson, AZ was first Masters in his debut at age 43 in 2:17:20.  New York based Harbert Okuti of Uganda ran with Lagat much of the way and had a PB of 2:16:51, placing 16^th.

Men

1. Lilesa Desisa, ETH 2:05:59
2. Shura Kitata ETH 2:06:01
3. Geoffrey Kamworor KEN 2:06:26
4. Tamirat Tola ETH 2:08:30
5. Daniel Wanjiru KEN 2:10:21
6. Jared Ward, UT 2:12:24
7. Scott Fauble, AZ 2:12:28 PB
8. Festus Talam, KEN 2:12:40
9. Shadrack Biwott, CA 2:12:52
10. Chris Derrick OR 2:13:08
11. Juan Luis Barrios MEX 2:13:55
12. Tadesse Yae ETH 2:13:57
13. Tim Ritchie MA 2:15:22
14. Ryan Vail OR 2:15:31
15. Jonny Mellor GBR 2:16:09
16. Harbert Okuti UGA 2:16:51 PB
17. Scott Smith, AZ 2:17:12
18. Bernard Lagat, (43) AZ 2:17:20 DB
19. Girma Gebre, ETH 2:18:18
20. Birhanu Dare Kemal ETH 2:18:20

 Women

1. Mary Keitany KEN 2:22:48
2. Vivian Cheruiyot KEN 2:26:02
3. Shalane Flanagan OR 2:26:22
4. Molly Huddle RI 2:26:44 PB
5. Rahma Tusa ETH 2:27:13
6. Desiree Linden, MI 2:27:51
7. Allie Kieffer NY 2:28:12 PB
8. Lisa Weightman AUS 2:29:11
9. Mamitu Daska ETH 2:30:31
10. Belaynesh Fikadu ETH 2:30:47 PB
11. Stephanie Bruce AZ 2:30:59
12. Roberta Groner (40) NJ 2:31:01
13. Gerda Steyn RSA 2:31:04 PB
14. Carrie Dimoff OR 2:31:12
15. Samantha Bluske AL 2:32:04
16. Sydney Devore MI 2:32:43
17. Brittany Charboneau CO 2:36:35
18. Sarah Sellers AZ 2:36:37 PB
19. Beverly Ramos PUR 2:40:58
20. Adriana Da Silva BRA 2:41:00

Shalane Flanagan OR 3rf female

Desiree Linden MI 6th female

Allie Kieffer 7th, Stephanie Bruce 11th, Roberta Groner 12th, Carrie Dimoff 14th

Allie Kieffer NY 7th female

Bernard Lagat AZ 18th Harbert Okuti UGA 16th

Carrie Dimoff OR 14th

Award winners and presenters at NYRR Hall of Fame presentation

Jared Ward UT 6th

Lilesa Desisa ETH 1st makes move for the win

Lisa Weightman AUS 8th female

Martin Lel, Deena Kastor, Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, Edith Hunkeler, George Hirsch

Mary Keitany KEN 1st female

Molly Huddle RI 4th female

Rahma Tusa ETH 5th female

Roberta Groner NJ 12th female

Samantha Bluske AL 15th female

Sarah Sellers AZ 18th female

Scott Fauble AZ 7th male

Shalane, Molly, and Desi top 3 USA

Shalane Flanagan OR 3rf female

Sydney Devore MI 16th female

Vivian Cheruiyot KEN 2nd female

Categories: Race Coverage