Ghebreslassie becomes youngest New York Marathon winner, Keitany triumphs again

World champion Ghirmay Ghebreslassie became the youngest winner of the New York Marathon, while Mary Keitany claimed her third title in a row on Sunday.

Reigning men’s champion Stanley Biwott offered a meek defence of his crown, withdrawing inside the opening 15 kilometres, and 20-year-old race debutant Ghebreslassie took full advantage.

The Eritrean crossed the line in two hours, seven minutes and 51 seconds to mark the 40th anniversary of the famous event.

Kenya’s Lucas Rotich was second, while the man in third place somewhat raised the average age of the podium. American Abdi Abdirahman, aged 39, became the oldest man to finish in the top three in New York.

Ghirmay Ghebreslassie of Eritrea wins the #TCSNYCMarathon men’s race! pic.twitter.com/v92XNUQOBF

— TCS NYC Marathon (@nycmarathon) November 6, 2016

In the women’s field there was a third consecutive triumph for Keitany as the Kenyan made it home a long way clear of the pack with a time of 2:24.26.

American Sally Kipyego was almost four minutes back, while fellow home hope Molly Huddle was third.