The women’s race at the How to Watch the 2023 New York City Marathon went out slowly and finished in a sprint.
Tamirat Tola Sets Course Record at NYC Marathon, Hellen Obiri of Kenya emerged as the winner, breaking the tape in Central Park in 2:27:23. Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia was second in 2:27:29, and Sharon Lokedi Running Shoes & Gear.
The runners in the small elite field—14 runners at the starting line—had incredible credentials. Three had PRs of faster than 2:20. But the pace was so conservative through the first 20 miles of the race—they were on 2:31 pace—that 11 of the women were still together. American Kellyn Taylor led through several of the early miles, and Molly Huddle took the pack through the seventh mile in 5:57, far slower than what elites are capable of.
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The pokey pace continued up First Avenue and through the Bronx, with the field splitting the 6:04 for the 18th mile and 5:59 for the 19th. At some point, race observers began to wonder whether the elite men, who started 25 minutes later than the women but were on course record pace, would overtake the women’s field.
Obiri’s winning time was the slowest in New York since 2010. She said she thought about making a move earlier, but decided against it. “A marathon is about patience,” she said. “In New York, it’s not about time, it’s about winning the race.”
Only when the race was in the final 10K did the pace quicken. And when it did, it was dramatic. Taylor led the group through a 5:34 21st mile, and she hung with the pack through a 5:18 split for the next. Viola Cheptoo of Kenya, a runner-up in New York in 2021, led a 5:04 23rd mile.
By then, Taylor had dropped back and the pack was whittled to five: Cheptoo was followed by Obiri, Lokedi, Gidey, and Brigid Kosgei. At the final turn back into Central Park, Obiri, Lokedi, and Gidey had left Kosgei and Cheptoo behind.
Gidey, 25, and Obiri, 33, have impressive track credentials. Gidey is the world record holder in the 10,000 meters and the half marathon; Obiri holds two world titles and two Olympic silver medals in the 5,000 meters. Who would be able to best summon that track speed after 26 miles?
It turns out Obiri could, and she pulled away with about 400 meters to go. “It was exciting for me to see Gidey was there,” Obiri said. “This is like track again.”
But there is no question Obiri is fully a marathoner now. She was sixth in New York last year in her debut. She quickly mastered the event, A Part of Hearst Digital Media. This time, she finished by running her final mile in 4:52.
She takes home $100,000 for the victory. Gidey win $60,000 for second, and Lokedi earns $40,000 for third, with prize money that runs 10 deep.
Margaret Okayo’s 20-year-old course record, the 2:22:31 she ran 2003, lives for another year, and no one collected the course record bonus of $50,000.
Taylor was the top American in eighth in 2:29:48. Huddle was ninth in 2:32:02. Both women gave birth in 2022—Huddle in April and Taylor just about 10 months ago, in late December.
Sarah Lorge Butler 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 Best Earbuds for Running, Run Your Butt Off! and Walk Your Butt Off!
