Geoffrey Mutai has successfully defended his New York Marathon crown (from 2011) with a dominant run in windy conditions 
to finish in 2:08:24, 52 seconds ahead of Ethiopian Tsegaye Kebede (2:09:16) and 3rd placed South African Luspho April (2:09:45). In a star-studded field, including Gold medallist & world champion Stephen Kiprotich, American star Meb Keflezighi, as well as 2012 Boston marathon winner Wesley Korir, it was a breakthrough result for April (3rd) and a strong performance from Mutai who dominated the closing stages.
Kebede, although aiming for the win in todays race will still be very happy after winning the World Marathon Majors title (& the $500,000 bonuus!) after accumulating the most points from the last 2 years of world marathon majors racing.
The womens race also saw a Kenyan win with Priscah Jeptoo (2:25:07) finishing ahead of Ethiopian Buzunesh Deba (2:25:56) after trailing 
for much of the race. Jeptoo was patient, first closing the gap on the leaders & then pulling away Deba in Central Park. 37yr old Latvian Jelena Pokopcuka finished 3rd in 2:27:47. Jeptoo’s win secures her the world marathon majors win and a $500,00 prize.
In the wheelchair Marathon Australian superstar Kurt Fearnley finished on the podium for the 8th time in 8 NYC marathon campaigns after finishing a very close 3rd with a time of 1:40:15, after in a sprint finish with Marcel Hug (1:40:14) & Ernst Van Dyk (1:40:14).
The New York Marathon made a fantastic comeback after last years deferred race (due to Hurricane Sandy) with 50,000 runners tackling the 42km run through the 5 boroughs; Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan & the Bronx. With increased security the event still held a special place in the hearts of New Yorkers and the thousands of people who travelled for the race.
Australia’s Indigenous Marathon Project (IMP), established in 2010 by Robert deCastella, had another successful trip to New York with athletes completing the gruelling 42.2km course… as their first marathon! The team; Elise Hull, Charmaine Patrick, Evelyna Dharmarrandji, Carla Snow, Georgia Gleeson, Colin Sampton, Tali Tabuai, Justin Miller, Luke McKenzie, Nathan Djerrkura & Jack Wilson can add to the amazing feats of previous IMP graduates in 2010, & 2011 NYC marathon with 100% success in the NYC marathon. Add this to successful campaigns to the Boston & Melbourne Marathons and the reach is growing ever wider. The New York marathon is the headline act of an amazing program which includes Cert IV in Health & Leisure training, mentoring and the popular Deadly Fun Run Series promoting exercise & healthy living in remote indigenous communities. Further evidence of the success of the program can be seen in the enthusiasm previous
IMP graduates have for running with 2010 runner Charlie Maher competing 2 other marathons (Boston & Alice Springs) and 2011 graduates Nadine Hunt & Bianca Graham recently completing the Frankfurt marathon. The flow on effect is already growing with more great things ahead for the team who #RunSweatInspire For more information on the IMP head to http://imp.org.au
Pictured bottom left, IMP supporters (the Qantas marathon team) after a warm up run through Central park leading up to the race. great results for Qantas team members with Jono Ireland going sub 3hrs in tough windy conditions (2:58:35) and the eternally youthful James McKenna breaking 4hrs (3:53:21). Great work guys!!
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