2021 New York City Marathon Explained

50th New York City Marathon
Date:November 7, 2021
Men:Albert Korir
Men Win Value:2:08:22
Women:Peres Jepchirchir
Women Win Value:2:22:39
Wheelchair Men:Marcel Hug
Wheelchair Men Win Value:1:31:24
Wheelchair Women:Madison de Rozario
Wheelchair Women Win Value:1:51:01
Location:New York City, United States
Competitors:25,020
Previous:2019
Next:2022

The 2021 New York City Marathon, the 50th running of that city's premier long-distance race, was held on November 7, 2021. Around 30,000 people ran in the event, of whom 25,020 finished. The race followed its traditional route, which passes through all five boroughs of New York City.

The elite races were won by Albert Korir and Peres Jepchirchir, both of Kenya, in 2:08:22 and 2:22:39 respectively; both athletes received $100,000 for winning their events. The wheelchair races were won by Marcel Hug of Switzerland and Madison de Rozario of Australia, in 1:31:24 and 1:51:01 respectively; both athletes received $25,000 for winning their events.

Background

After the 2020 New York City Marathon was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[1] the 2021 race was confirmed in June 2021 by Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo.[2] It was held on its traditional date of the first Sunday in November.[2] It was the last of the five World Marathon Majors held in 2021; all of the events in the series were run in the space of six weeks between late September and early November.[3] The 2021 New York City Marathon was sponsored by Indian company Tata Consultancy Services.[4] The elite races had prize money of $100,000, $60,000 and $40,000 for the top three finishers, plus $25,000 for the highest finishing American competitor in each race. The total prize fund was $534,000 for each elite race.[5] The wheelchair races awarded prize money of $25,000, $20,000 and $15,000 for the top three finishers in each event, and a total prize fund of $155,000.[5]

Given the ongoing pandemic, the number of runners was limited to 33,000,[2] and competitors were required to either prove that they were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or to have had a recent negative COVID-19 test.[6] Competitors were required to wear face coverings when not racing,[7] and started in five different timeslots, to minimize crowding on the course.[8]

Course

The marathon distance is 42.195km (26.219miles) long as sanctioned by World Athletics.[9] The New York City Marathon starts at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island.[10] The runners cross the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge into mostly-flat Brooklyn where for the next 12miles they pass through Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Park Slope, Fort Greene, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and Williamsburg. The course then enters Queens by crossing over the Pulaski Bridge; the mid-point of the race is on that bridge.

After a short time in Queens, the race crosses the Queensboro Bridge at mile 14,[11] and enters Manhattan where competitors run north on First Avenue for 3miles.[12] The runners cross the Willis Avenue Bridge, where they enter The Bronx[13] for 2miles from mile 19 .[11] The course then re-enters Manhattan via the Madison Avenue Bridge[13] for the final 6.2miles. After running through Harlem, there is a slight uphill section along Fifth Avenue before it flattens out and runs parallel to Central Park. The course then enters the park around mile 24, passes Columbus Circle at mile 25 and re-enters the park for the finish.[14] [12]

Field

The elite women's race featured Peres Jepchirchir, who won the marathon event at the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics,[15] and had the fastest personal best time of all competitors in the field.[16] It was Jepchirchir's first New York City Marathon,[17] [18] and another debutant was Molly Seidel, who came third in the Olympic marathon.[19] The race also included Ababel Yeshaneh and Nancy Kiprop, who came second and fourth respectively at the 2019 Chicago Marathon,[17] 2018 Boston Marathon winner Des Linden, and Americans Sally Kipyego, Aliphine Tuliamuk and Emily Sisson.[15] 2019 winner Joyciline Jepkosgei chose to run the 2021 London Marathon instead of the New York Marathon.[20]

The elite men's race featured Kenenisa Bekele, his first appearance at the event. Bekele had not competed in a race in New York since 2006, but was convinced by New York Road Runners to attend.[21] [22] Albert Korir and Girma Bekele Gebre, who came second and third respectively at the 2019 event, returned for the 2021 event.[23] Other competitors included Abdi Nageeye, who came second in the Olympic marathon event, Kibiwott Kandie, the world record holder in the half marathon in his first marathon race,[21] 2016 winner Ghirmay Ghebreslassie,[17] as well as Noah Droddy, Callum Hawkins and Jared Ward, all of whom had a personal best of under 2:10:00. Canadian Ben Preisner, whose personal best was just outside 2:10:00, also raced; it was his first World Marathon Major.[21]

The women's wheelchair race featured Manuela Schär, who had won the last three New York City Marathons, and set the course record in 2019.[24] Also competing were five-time winner Tatyana McFadden,[15] who last won the event in 2016,[19] as well as twice former champion Amanda McGrory,[15] Madison de Rozario,[25] who won the marathon event at the delayed 2020 Summer Paralympics,[26] Nikita den Boer, who won the 2020 London Marathon,[24] and Susannah Scaroni,[15] who recorded the fastest time at the virtual 2020 New York City Marathon.[27]

The men's wheelchair race featured 2018 and 2019 winner Daniel Romanchuk, as well as three time former champion Marcel Hug.[24] Other competitors included Aaron Pike, who came fourth in the 2018[28] and 2019 races, Ernst van Dyk, who had won the Boston Marathon on 10 occasions, and David Weir, who was an eight-time winner of the London Marathon.[24]

Race summary

The wheelchair races started at 08:00 EST (13:00 UTC), the handcycle event commenced at 08:22 EST, the elite women's race began at 08:40 EST and the elite men's competition commenced at 09:05 EST.[29] The race conditions were sunny with a cool temperature,[30] and light wind, which helped enable fast races. The temperature was officially recorded as 44F at the race start and 52F at the finish line.[31]

The elite women's race was won by Kenyan Peres Jepchirchir, ahead of fellow Kenyan Viola Cheptoo and Ethiopian Ababel Yeshaneh.[32] It was the first time that any woman had won the Olympic and New York City Marathons in the same year. Jepchirchir took control of the race after 18miles, but Jepchirchir, Cheptoo and Yeshaneh were still together as the race headed into Central Park.[32] Jepchirchir finished in the third fastest time in history; she was nine seconds slower than the course record. Cheptoo and Yeshaneh's times were the fourth and sixth fastest times in history respectively.[32] Molly Seidel finished fourth overall; her time of 2:24:42 was the fastest ever by an American woman at the New York City Marathon,[32] beating Kara Goucher's time in the 2008 race by over a minute.[33] Shalane Flanagan finished her sixth World Marathon Major of the year (including the virtual Tokyo Marathon),[33] each one in a time of under three hours.[34]

The elite men's event was won by Kenyan Albert Korir, ahead of Moroccan Mohamed El Araby and Italian Eyob Faniel.[35] It was Korir's first victory at a World Marathon Major.[36] El Araby and Faniel took the lead early in the race, and at the halfway point, they were 51 seconds ahead of a chasing group containing Korir. 18miles into the race, the pair were caught by Korir and Kibiwott Kandie, and Korir took the lead 2miles later.[35] American Elkanah Kibet finished fourth overall, and won $25,000 for being the highest finishing American competitor.[35]

The wheelchair women's event was won by Australian Madison de Rozario, the first time that the event had been won by an Australian. It was also the first time that a woman had won the Paralympic and New York City marathons in the same year.[37] De Rozario, Manuela Schär and Tatyana McFadden traded the lead early on. Schär was dropped from the leading group after 30km (20miles),[33] and de Rozario took the race lead on the Queensboro Bridge. McFadden and Schär finished the race in second and third respectively.

The wheelchair men's event was won by Switzerland's Marcel Hug; it was his fourth New York City Marathon victory,[34] [38] and his fourth World Marathon Major victory of 2021.[34] Hug led the race throughout; after 20km (10miles), he had a lead of three minutes over Briton David Weir,[38] and was on track to beat the course record.[33] Hug eventually won by over 6 minutes, ahead of Weir and Daniel Romanchuk, who finished second and third respectively.[38] Hug's finishing time was slower than the course record, as he lost time on hilly sections in the latter half of the race.[33]

Non-elite race

The mass participation event commenced in five waves between 09:10 and 12:00 EST.[29] Around 30,000 people competed in the mass participation event,[36] of whom 25,020 finished.[39] The first 8miles of the mass participation event were run on three different courses to prevent overcrowding.[5]

Celebrity sportspeople who participated included former international women's soccer players Abby Wambach, Lauren Holiday, Kate Markgraf and Leslie Osborne, as well as former American footballer Tiki Barber.[40] Other celebrity competitors included presenter Nev Schulman, musician Marcus Mumford, ultramarathon runner Robin Arzon, television presenter Willie Geist, Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of former US president Bill Clinton, supermodel Christy Turlington, and reality TV stars Tayshia Adams, Peter Weber and Matt James.[41] Actress Kelli O'Hara competed and also sang the national anthem before the event.[40]

Results

Men

Elite men's top 10 finishers[42]
Position Athlete NationalityTime
1 02:08:22
2 02:09:06
3 02:09:52
4 02:11:15
5 02:11:39
6 02:12:52
7 02:12:53
8 02:12:57
9 02:13:43
10 02:13:43

Women

Elite women's top 10 finishers[43]
Position Athlete NationalityTime
1 02:22:39
2 02:22:44
3 02:22:52
4 02:24:42
5 02:26:09
6 02:26:10
7 02:26:18
8 02:27:00
9 02:30:32
10 02:31:05

Wheelchair men

Wheelchair men's top 10 finishers[44]
Position Athlete NationalityTime
1 01:31:24
2 01:38:01
3 01:38:22
4 01:40:38
5 01:41:51
6 01:41:53
7 01:43:23
8 01:43:37
9 01:43:39
10 01:44:25

Wheelchair women

Wheelchair women's top 10 finishers[45]
Position Athlete NationalityTime
1 01:51:01
2 01:53:59
3 01:54:02
4 01:59:45
5 01:59:45
6 02:02:38
7 02:09:42
8 02:18:13
9 02:25:21
10 02:28:10

Handcycle men

Handcycle men's top 3 finishers[46]
Position Athlete NationalityTime
1 01:35:13
2 01:39:26
3 01:58:41

Handcycle women

Handcycle women's top 3 finishers[47]
Position Athlete NationalityTime
1 02:09:35
2 02:17:14
3 02:26:48

Notes and References

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  2. News: New York City Marathon Will Return in November. The New York Times. May 17, 2021. August 19, 2021. August 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210824021828/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/17/sports/nyc-marathon-2021.html. live.
  3. A look at the tightly packed fall marathon schedule. Running Magazine. 31 January 2021. 12 August 2021. August 12, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210812154447/https://runningmagazine.ca/the-scene/a-look-at-the-tightly-packed-fall-marathon-schedule/. live.
  4. News: Tech company TCS renews NYC Marathon rights and will spend $280 million on race sponsorships. CNBC. July 21, 2021. August 20, 2021. August 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210820105757/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/21/tcs-renews-nyc-marathon-rights-to-spend-280-million-on-sponsorships.html. live.
  5. Web site: New York City Marathon 2021 start time, route, qualifying times, list of past winners. Sporting News. November 6, 2021. January 21, 2022. January 21, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220121172823/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/athletics/news/new-york-city-marathon-2021-start-time-route-qualifying-times-list-of-past-winners/14wicpv304gyk17sl10kdhodt1. live.
  6. News: Why Aren't Races Requiring Vaccination?. The New York Times. May 23, 2021. September 16, 2021. Futterman. Matt. September 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210916110640/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/23/sports/nyc-marathon-vaccination.html. live.
  7. Web site: Extensive COVID-19 countermeasures to be in place at New York City Marathon. Inside the Games. September 25, 2021. October 13, 2021. September 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210929065205/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1113413/new-york-city-marathon-covid19-measures. live.
  8. News: NYRR outlines COVID-19 safety guidelines for 2021 TCS NYC Marathon. WABC-TV. September 22, 2021. October 13, 2021. October 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211023195257/https://abc7ny.com/tcs-2021-new-york-city-marathon-nyc-covid-masks/11037845/. live.
  9. Web site: IAAF Competition Rules for Road Races. 2009. International Association of Athletics Federations. 6 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923182842/http://www.bcathletics.org/main/rr_iaaf.htm. 23 September 2015. dead.
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  15. Olympic medallists, Peres Jepchirchir and Molly Seidel to run TCS New York City Marathon. Running Magazine Canada. August 18, 2021. August 19, 2021. August 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210819164155/https://runningmagazine.ca/sections/runs-races/olympic-medallist-peres-jepchirchir-and-molly-seidel-to-run-tcs-new-york-city-marathon/. live.
  16. Which Elites Are Running Which Major Marathons in Fall 2021?. Runner's World. August 27, 2021. September 16, 2021. September 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210921110603/https://www.runnersworld.com/races-places/a37408920/major-marathons-fall-2021/. live.
  17. News: Jepchirchir, Kandie To Race At New York Marathon. Citizen TV. 20 August 2021. 26 October 2021. October 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211026162014/https://citizen.digital/sports/jepchirchir-kandie-to-race-at-new-york-marathon-13097082/. live.
  18. News: Molly Seidel leads field of American women running New York City Marathon. USA Today. August 18, 2021. August 19, 2021. August 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210818185847/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2021/08/18/molly-seidel-new-york-city-marathon/8179640002/. live.
  19. Olympic bronze medallist Molly Seidel to run NYC Marathon. Sportstar. August 19, 2021. August 19, 2021. August 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210818190311/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/athletics/tokyo-olympic-bronze-medallist-molly-seidel-to-run-nyc-marathon/article35988027.ece . live.
  20. Kosgei and Kitata will return for 2021 London Marathon. Runner's World. August 12, 2021. August 19, 2021. August 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210818104911/https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/news/a37291324/elite-london-marathon-2021/. live.
  21. Kenenisa Bekele planning to run the New York City Marathon 42 days after headlining Berlin. Running Magazine Canada. August 19, 2021. August 23, 2021. August 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210823114439/https://runningmagazine.ca/sections/runs-races/kenenisa-bekele-planning-to-run-the-new-york-city-marathon-42-days-after-headlining-berlin/. live.
  22. A Running Great Readies For NYC Debut: Kenenisa Bekele Headlines Marathon Elites. Sports Illustrated. August 19, 2021. August 19, 2021. September 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210901161300/https://www.si.com/edge/2021/08/19/kenenisa-bekele-new-york-city-marathon-2021-elite-field-berlin-marathon-eliud-kipchoge. live.
  23. News: Jepchirchir, Kandie to race at New York Marathon. Citizen TV. August 20, 2021. August 25, 2021. August 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210825102528/https://citizentv.co.ke/sports/jepchirchir-kandie-to-race-at-new-york-marathon-13097082/. live.
  24. Web site: Olympic Champion Peres Jepchirchir, Olympic Silver Medalist Abdi Nageeye, and Four-Time Olympic Medalist Kenenisa Bekele to Join Star-Studded Professional Athlete Field at TCS New York City Marathon on November 7. New York Road Runners. August 19, 2021. August 23, 2021. September 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210901161302/https://www.nyrr.org/media-center/press-release/201081921_marathonfullfield. live.
  25. Web site: Wheelchair stars set for marathon finale. World Marathon Majors. September 3, 2021. January 25, 2022. September 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210903150447/https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/content-hub/wheelchair-stars-set-for-marathon-finale. live.
  26. News: Madison de Rozario wins Paralympics marathon, Jaryd Clifford takes silver. Australian Associated Press. The Guardian. September 5, 2021. January 25, 2022. January 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124221844/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/sep/05/madison-de-rozario-wins-paralympics-marathon-jaryd-clifford-takes-silver. live.
  27. Web site: 2020 Virtual TCS New York City Marathon. New York Road Runners. 15 October 2021. January 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210111092253/https://results.nyrr.org/event/20VMara/finishers#category=P%252CW&page=1&g=F. live.
  28. Web site: TCS New York City Marathon 2018. New York Road Runners. August 26, 2021. August 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210826110805/https://results.nyrr.org/event/M2018/finishers#category=P%252CW&page=1. live.
  29. Web site: New York City Marathon 2021: Top things to know about course, Shalane Flanagan, Peres Jepchirchir, and Kenenisa Bekele. International Olympic Committee. 28 October 2021. 1 November 2021. November 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211101104846/https://olympics.com/en/news/new-york-marathon-2021-watch-preview. live.
  30. News: The inspiring and must-see moments of the 2021 NYC Marathon. ESPN. November 7, 2021. January 21, 2022. November 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211107230648/https://www.espn.co.uk/olympics/story/_/id/32575462/the-inspiring-see-moments-2021-nyc-marathon. live.
  31. Web site: TCS New York City Marathon 2021. New York Road Runners. January 21, 2022. January 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220115062919/https://results.nyrr.org/event/M2021/overview. live.
  32. Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya Wins the 2021 NYC Marathon Women's Race. Runner's World. November 7, 2021. November 8, 2021. January 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220113144715/https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a38067987/nyc-marathon-2021-mens-results/. live.
  33. Results and Highlights From the 2021 New York City Marathon. Runner's World. November 7, 2021. November 8, 2021. November 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211108002057/https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a38068072/nyc-marathon-2021-results/. live.
  34. News: Peres Jepchirchir, Albert Korir win New York City Marathon, capping a historic fall season. Washington Post. November 7, 2021. January 21, 2022. November 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211108084545/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/11/07/new-york-city-marathon-live-updates/. live.
  35. Albert Korir Wins the 2021 NYC Marathon Men's Race. Runner's World. November 7, 2021. November 8, 2021. November 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211107175421/https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a38067987/nyc-marathon-2021-mens-results/. live.
  36. News: Kenyans Albert Korir and Peres Jepchirchir win New York City Marathon. Associated Press. CBS. November 7, 2021. November 9, 2021. November 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211108202053/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-york-city-marathon-winners-albert-korir-peres-jepchirchir/. live.
  37. News: Australia’s Madison de Rozario makes history with New York marathon win. The Guardian. November 7, 2021. January 21, 2021. November 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211107230705/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/nov/08/australias-madison-de-rozario-makes-history-with-new-york-marathon-win. live.
  38. News: Marcel Hug and Madison de Rozario Win N.Y.C. Marathon Wheelchair Races. The New York Times. November 7, 2021. November 8, 2021. November 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211108010923/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/07/sports/nyc-marathon-wheelchair-marcel-hug-de-rozario.html. live.
  39. Web site: Overview - TCS New York City Marathon 2021. New York Road Runners. January 13, 2021. November 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211108112101/https://results.nyrr.org/event/M2021/overview. live.
  40. News: Kenya's Albert Korir clinched the men's race at the New York City Marathon two years after finishing second. CNBC. November 7, 2021. November 9, 2021. November 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211108190116/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/07/kenyas-albert-korir-clinched-the-mens-race-at-the-new-york-city-marathon.html. live.
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  42. Web site: TCS New York City Marathon 2021: Men. New York Road Runners. 8 November 2021. November 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211108025615/https://results.nyrr.org/event/M2021/finishers#g=M&page=1. live.
  43. Web site: TCS New York City Marathon 2021: Women. New York Road Runners. 8 November 2021. November 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211108025615/https://results.nyrr.org/event/M2021/finishers#g=F&page=1. live.
  44. Web site: TCS New York City Marathon 2021: Wheelchair Men. New York Road Runners. 8 November 2021. November 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211108025615/https://results.nyrr.org/event/M2021/finishers#category=P%252CW&page=1&g=M. live.
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  46. Web site: TCS New York City Marathon 2021: Handcycle Men. New York Road Runners. 13 January 2022. November 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211108025615/https://results.nyrr.org/event/M2021/finishers#category=H&page=1&g=M. live.
  47. Web site: TCS New York City Marathon 2021: Handcycle Women. New York Road Runners. 13 January 2022. November 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211108025615/https://results.nyrr.org/event/M2021/finishers#category=H&page=1&g=W. live.

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