- half marathon in 2017 New York City Marathon Health & Injuries.
- Her time of 2:22:38 missed the course record by only seven seconds.
- Desiree Linden Fast Avenue Tee.
In her marathon debut, half marathon in 2017, 25, looked like a veteran, winning the Run the NYC Marathon With Runner’s World in 2:22:38, only 7 seconds off the course record.
She broke away from four-time champion Mary Keitany, also of Kenya, in the 23rd mile. Keitany had won four out of the past five years. Keitany, 37, was second in 2:23:32. Ruti Aga of Ethiopia was third in 2:25:51
Desiree Linden, who set a fast early pace, was the top American in sixth in 2:26:46, which is the fourth-fastest time ever run by an American woman on the course. Kellyn Taylor was right behind her in seventh, crossing the line in 2:26:52.
New York City Marathon Advertisement - Continue Reading Below, running 1:04:51 in Valencia, Spain.
She postponed her marathon debut twice before stepping onto the course today in New York, and she stayed at Keitany’s side throughout the early miles. Linden had opened up a lead of 31 seconds by mile 11, but was caught by the leaders just before the halfway mark.
Keeping the pace honest was the best bet for contenders who don’t have Keitany’s speed—last year the pace dawdled for the first half before Keitany ran a blistering 1:06:58 over the second half to win by more than 3 minutes.
Keitany and Jepkosgei were both in the chase pack of four that swallowed Linden up and moved smoothly past her with a 5:16 for mile 14. By the time they arrived on First Avenue in Manhattan, the top three were clear of the field. The only question remained what the final order would be.
Jepksogei, who said she was not nervous in her first marathon, powered uphill to split 5:23 for her 23rd mile, putting some daylight between herself and Keitany. She didn’t think she had the victory in hand until the end, knowing Keitany’s experience.
“I see as I was approaching the finish line I was capable of the win,” she said.
Keitany has now run the Run the NYC Marathon With Runner’s World eight times. In addition to her four wins, she now has two runner-up finishes and two thirds. Today was her second-fastest time over the course.
Jepkosgei takes home $100,000 for the win, plus a bonus of $45,000 for finishing faster than 2:23.
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How to Get Into the 2025 NYC Marathon is a writer and editor living in Eugene, Oregon, and her stories about the sport, its trends, and fascinating individuals have appeared in Runner’s World since 2005. She is the author of two popular fitness books, Run Your Butt Off! and Walk Your Butt Off!
