by Larry EderIn the 3 times that Geoffrey Kamworor has run in ther Big Apple, has gone third, first and second. Today, he took the top of the podium once again. Here’s how it happened!
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The 2019 NYC Men’s race was a fascinating event. The pace, with 22 in the pack was conservative at first, and a barn burner at the end. The pack hit 5k in 15:16, 10k in 30:35 and 15k in 45:45, as the winds built up. 20k was hit in 1:01.20 and the half way was hit in 1:04:49. In the pack were a fascinating cast of characters. Albert Korir, recent Ottowa champ, in his 3rd marathon of the year, Abdi Abdirahaman, top NYC finisher past 3 years, (2016-2:11.23 in 3rd), Girma Tola, a well known local racer, who lived part time in US, part time in Ethiopia, Shura Kitata, 2nd in 2018 NYC, Jared Ward, 6th in Rio Olympics, 10th in Boston, 12th in NYC, 8th in Boston.
The pace was five minute pace, 1:17:10 at 25k, 1:32:27 at 30k, and the pack was at five: Kamworor, Gebre, Korir, Kitata, Tola.
The 35k at 1:47.34 had 4: Kamworor, Gebre, Korir, Tola. Kitata began to drop back.
Geoffrey Kamworor then dropped the bomb, 4:36 in mile 24, 4:31 in mile 25, and Korir began to fold, as he looked behind and noticed he was safe.
In the end, Kamworor took his second win, in 2:08.13. Korir took second in 2:08.36. Kind of local, Gebre, was 2:08.38.
Geoffrey Kamworor had this to say about today:
“From the start of the race, to me, I was feeling okay. I was comfortable. I prepared very well to run this marathon. So throughout the race, I was okay. Throughout the last few meters, the pace was somewhat high, and it was not a problem to me. That’s when I decided to move away. “
