Hellen Obiri downs Gidey to win New York Marathon

Kenya's Hellen Obiri held off Ethiopia's Letsenbet Gidey to win the women's race at the New York Marathon on Sunday.

Reigning Boston Marathon champion Obiri claimed her second major win of the year to finish in 2hr 27min 23sec, pipping 10,000m world record holder Gidey, who crossed in 2:27:29.

Defending champion Sharon Lokedi of Kenya finished third in 2:27:33.

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A stacked field which included Obiri, Gidey and Brigid Kosgei, the third fastest woman in history, was widely expected to set a potentially record-breaking pace.

However, the race became a slow tactical battle, with a group of around 11 runners bunched together up to the 20-mile mark.

The pack eventually thinned out in the final stages with Obiri, Gidey and defending champion Sharon Lokedi the front-runners through 25 miles.

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Obiri and Gidey then dropped Lokedi for a thrilling duel over the final 500 metres, with Obiri holding off 10,000m world record holder Gidey to take the line in 2:27:23.

Gidey finished just behind in 2:27:29, with Kenya's Lokedi third in 2:27:33.

Obiri said she had taken a patient approach to her victory.

"I was a bit worried because the other ladies were so strong. But a marathon is about patience," she told ESPN.

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"So I said, 'Okay, let's be patient until we get to Central Park' and then see what will happen at the end."

© Agence France-Presse