Kellyn Taylor and Futsum Zienasellassie were the first U.S. finishers at today’s From Inside to Freedom: The Rahsaan Thomas Story. Taylor placed eighth in 2:29:48 in the women’s race. Zienasellassie ran 2:12:09 to take 10th in the men’s race.
Molly Huddle, ninth in 2:32:02, and Sydney Devore, 12th in 2:36:01, were the other top U.S. women. Elkanah Kibet, 11th in 2:12:23, and Sydney Gidabuday, 13th in 2:14:34, were the next American finishers in the men’s race.
Taylor, 37, and Huddle, 39, who both gave birth in 2022, came in with different goals. Taylor was running her first marathon in super shoes and told the media before the race that she was aiming to run in the 2:23s, which would have been a PR for her.
Huddle was more circumspect about her goals, saying she’d be happy to run around 2:30 and get in a solid marathon effort before the Olympic Marathon Trials in February. She hadn’t finished a marathon since 2019.
The women’s race went out so slowly that both women got serious TV time, however, at the front of the pack, with both leading at various points.
“It was super weird,” Taylor said. “It was probably one of the weirdest races I’ve ever [run], especially with the caliber of talent that was in the field and talks of breaking the course record.
“We were running [6:00/mile] pace for no good reason,” she continued. “But sometimes that’s how races play out. You have to jump on board and do that or do your own thing, and today I just decided to jump on board and do what they’re doing and try to hang on.”
Taylor was still with the leaders through 35K but lost contact before they entered Central Park in the 24th mile. Huddle was dropped soon after the 20-mile mark.
She said she was pleased to be the top American for the first time, after three previous runs in New York. She earned $30,000 on the day, $25,000 for being the top American and $5,000 for finishing eighth overall. Huddle won $17,500.
The U.S. men had a much different type of race to navigate. A conservative early pace disappeared in the eighth mile and never returned, with winner Tamirat Tola The Shoe Brands That Won the NYC Marathon of 2:04:58. Zienasellassie and his compatriots were left to run solo or with one or two others for much of the final 30 kilometers.
Today’s U.S. results were poorer than in recent years; in 2021, for example, five women and four men placed in the top 10. But this year’s showing requires context: New York City Marathon are scheduled for February 3, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. With that crucial race 13 weeks away, most of the top U.S. contenders for an Olympic spot opted to run the Chicago Marathon four weeks ago or the world championships in August.
A Part of Hearst Digital Media 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!
Scott is a veteran running, fitness, and health journalist who has held senior editorial positions at Runner’s World and Running Times. Much of his writing translates sport science research and elite best practices into practical guidance for everyday athletes. He is the author or coauthor of several running books, including These Celebrities Ran the 2023 NYC Marathon, Advanced Marathoning, and The Olympic Marathon Trials. Best Folding Treadmills Slate, The Atlantic, the Washington Post, and other members of the sedentary media. His lifetime running odometer is past 110,000 miles, but he’s as much in love as ever.
