Yet, another prime example of Black Excellence: The 2015 New York City Marathon was dominated by not one, but TWO black first place winners in both the male and female divisions. As if dominating first place wasn’t enough, black runners also finished second and third in both divisions! Out of 50,000 runners who crossed the finish line, the top 3 women and top 3 men all happen to be black. AMAZING!
Read more after the jump!
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Kenyan runner Mary Keitany won for the second consecutive year in the women’s division of the 2015 NYC Marathon while Kenyan runner Stanley Biwott comes in first for the men’s division.
The women’s race started first, led by Portuguese runner Sara Moreira for the first 16 miles. Mary Keitany paced herself since the beginning of the race, slowing working her way to lead the marathon and ultimately leaving her to cross the finish line alone. She is the first woman to win back-to-back NYC Marathons since Paula Radcliffe in 2008.
Her final time was 2 hours 24 minutes 25 seconds, finishing by more than one minute before the runner up who also happens to be a black woman, Asalefech Mergia of Ethiopia. Ethiopian runner Tigist Tufa, who was running her very first NYC Marathon, finished third making the first, second, and third places winners all beautiful black women.
BUT WAIT, WE’RE NOT DONE WINNING JUST YET!
Stanley Biwott won his first major marathon victory today in a win he’d planned all along.
My game plan was to run to win the race, from 35km I was going to push.
I was able to push toward the uphills. I was able to maintain high speed knowing I was within a few kms of the finish line.
Finishing second in the men’s division is Kenyan runner Geoffrey Kamworor who was comfortable with his place;
I think for me, the second position was okay, I always race to win, but was happy with second position.
In third place is Ethiopian runner Lelisa Desisa who just so happens to be the winner of the 2015 Boston Marathon that took place this past April.
Amazing seeing people of color being praised and honored for their handwork and dedication. The NYC Marathon raises unheard of amounts of money each year for a good cause making it a great way to give back as well. It takes a special kind of person to win these marathons, if only these winners could donate some of their stamina and willpower to us back home watching.
Source: CNN
