From Staten Island to Manhattan, runners turned out incredible performances at the 2022 New York City Marathon. On Sunday morning, 50,000 participants covered the historic course that runs through five boroughs, setting the stage for a great day of racing in the Big Apple.
Despite unseasonably warm weather, runners broke records and battled for 26.2. Here are the highlights from this weekend’s competition.
→Join Runner’s World+ to get the latest running news, training tips, and exclusive workouts
Sharon Lokedi Wins Marathon Debut
Heading into the women’s elite race, most were predicting track superstar Hellen Obiri to shine in her marathon debut. But it was fellow debutante Sharon Lokedi who emerged as the surprise champion on Sunday. The University of Kansas alum won the New York City Marathon in 2:23:23.
The women’s competition featured a thrilling battle between Lokedi, Obiri, Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, and Gotytom Gebreslase in the later miles. By Central Park, Salpeter led the charge towards the finish with Gebreslase and Lokedi on her heels. But Lokedi, running beyond her years, attacked the final mile and passed Salpeter. Her lead continued to grow with minutes remaining in the race, which she ultimately won by seven seconds over the Israelian athlete. Gebreslase, the 2022 world champion, finished third in 2:23:39.
Before her New York City Marathon victory, Lokedi notched a personal best of 1:08:14 at the NYC Half Marathon in March.
2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials champion Aliphine Tuliamuk finished seventh overall in 2:26:18. The Northern Arizona Elite standout was the first American to cross the finish line. World championship finalist Emma Bates followed in eighth place (2:26:53). Running for the Running Industry Diversity Coalition, Nell Rojas placed 10th in 2:28:32, putting three Americans in the top 10.
Evans Chebet Grinds to Win Second World Marathon Major This Year
Evans Chebet gave chase for most of the men’s competition and his efforts paid off in Central Park. The Kenyan athlete claimed the title in 2:08:41, 12 seconds ahead of runner-up Shura Kitata of Ethiopia. Abdi Nageeye followed for third in 2:10:31.
Chebet ran a patient race while navigating an unexpected move by a fellow competitor. After surging ahead of the competition in the early miles and maintaining a significant lead for the majority of the race, Daniel Do Nascimento cramped up around the 20-mile mark and dropped out of contention. The Brazilian had to use the restroom on the sidelines before succumbing to cramps and getting passed by Chebet.
Chebet’s victory came six months after he won the Boston Marathon in 2:06:51, his first World Marathon Major title.
On the American side, Scott Fauble placed ninth in 2:13:35, the highest finish for a U.S. athlete. Reed Fischer finished 10th in 2:15:23. Olympic bronze medalist Galen Rupp was expected to finish near the podium but dropped out before the 30K mark.
Marcel Hug Breaks Men’s Wheelchair Course Record
Marcel Hug didn’t leave anything to chance in his quest to defend his New York City Marathon title. Known as the “silver bullet” in elite racing circles, Hug established a sizable lead early on in the men’s wheelchair race. By halfway, which he reached in 40:32, the two-time Olympic champion was 1:19 ahead of his closest competitor Daniel Romanchuk.
The lead continued to grow in the later miles with Hug ultimately reaching the finish line in 1:25:26 to win his fifth New York City Marathon title in a new course record. Hug broke the previous 1:29:22 course record set by Kurt Fearnley in 2006. The victory also sealed the Swiss athlete’s World Marathon Majors crown.
Susannah Scaroni Shatters Course Record One Year After Accident
In a dominant performance, Susannah Scaroni broke the women’s wheelchair course record. The American won the New York City Marathon in 1:42:43, well under the previous 1:43:04 course record set by Tatyana McFadden in 2015.
Scaroni pulled away from the competition before the first 5K and maintained her position through halfway in 43:19, 2:44 ahead of Manuela Schar. Racing solo, Scaroni held her position all the way to the finish in Central Park. Schar followed for second in 1:45:11.
Scaroni’s victory came just over a year after she was struck by a car while training. Months later, she made an inspiring comeback with a 5,000-meter world record in June. In October, the momentum continued when she won the Chicago Marathon, her first World Marathon Major title.
Celebs Take On 26.2
It was another star-studded field on the course of the NYC Marathon. Actor Ashton Kutcher made his marathon debut a successful one, crossing the line in a time of 3:5401. Chelsea Clinton was a surprise entry, returning to the NYC Marathon for a second straight year. This year, Clinton ran 4:20:34.
Jake Caswell Wins Nonbinary Division
It was the largest field of nonbinary runners in marathon history, and the event made history by being the first World Major Marathon to award prize money. Jake Caswell ran a time of 2:45:12 to take the win, earning $5,000 for their victory.
Couple Runs to Honor Daughter Who Died of SUDC
Three years after their two-year-old daughter died of Sudden Unknown Death in Children (SUDC), Laura and Charlie Beagan ran the New York City Marathon to honor her. The couple from Long Island, New York, has already raised nearly $20,000 to support the SUDC Foundation, according to News 12. They also started the Rose Elizabeth Foundation in her memory to support local charities on Long Island.
Athlete Competes After Losing Both Legs in Subway Accident
Four years ago, Rome Leykin experienced an unthinkable tragedy when he lost both legs in a subway accident. As he told Runner’s World, Leykin was introduced to handcycling in the recovery process and became determined to compete in his hometown race. On Sunday, the former software engineer completed the New York City Marathon in 1:48:12.
Almost 30 Years After Surviving Attack While Training, Athlete Runs NYC
In 1993, Passle Helminski was on a training walk gearing up for the New York City Marathon when a man assaulted her, striking her in the neck with his hand. The attack left a tear in her left carotid artery, and took her out of training for her marathon debut, as reported by Sports Illustrated. She hoped to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials in racewalking but after the attack, she had to relearn how to walk and speak. On Sunday in the Big Apple, Helminski set out to finish what she started 29 years ago.
Runner Takes on Race to Honor His Late Wife of 54 Years
A year after losing his wife to cancer, Jon Auty vowed to finish the New York City Marathon 40 years after completing the race for the first time, as reported by NJ.com. The 78-year-old retired lawyer from North Haledon, New Jersey ran with his daughter, D’Ann Auty Vermilye for Fred’s Team, a nonprofit named after late New York City Marathon co-founder Fred Lebow that supports cancer research.
Taylor Dutch is a writer and editor living in Austin, Texas, and a former NCAA track athlete who specializes in fitness, wellness, and endurance sports coverage. Her work has appeared in Runner’s World, SELF, Bicycling, Outside, and Podium Runner.
