NYC 2022 TCS Marathon

NEW YORK, Nov 8, 2022 - The greatest block party in the world, the New York City Marathon presented by Tata Consulting Services, made its return to full capacity yesterday, featuring around 50,000 runners from all over the world, in what was an unusually hot and humid day of early November.

The New York Marathon is like no other in the world: the energy, the hype, the crazy logistics, the diverse characters and personalities, and - above everything - the crowd of spectators stuffed with casual viewers, fans, performers, residents, and the rest of the variegated humanity of the Big Apple.

At Fort Wadsworth, where the pre-race camp is always located, I was able to meet and talk with several runners, and, to be honest, they are the most amazing part of this event.

The stories you hear are emotional, exhilarating, silly, heartwarming, heartbreaking, funny, and inspiring.

The Brooklynite who ran his first Marathon in 1982 and hasn't missed one his entire life. The two women who became friends at the hospital where they were curing their brain tumor and promised each other they would run the marathon together if they survived. The father who ran with a t-shirt with a picture of the child he lost and to whom he promised they would have run together one day. The sisters from Peru who promised each other to meet in New York for the Marathon after being separated for two years because of the pandemic. The Indian runner who ran with a pineapple on his head because he lost a bet with his friends. The couple from Wisconsin with banana costumes and the man from Florida with a Buzz Lightyear suit.

I could go on for hours, but now a bit about the race.

Kenyan marathoners Evans Chebet and Sharon Lokedi survived the brutal heat and humidity to win the race on Sunday after Brazilian Daniel Do Nascimento unexpectedly collapsed.

Do Nascimento set a fast pace with a two-minute lead around the halfway point, but after mile 20 he started dragging his feet and collapsed, stunning spectators as police officers ran to assist him. Race officials later confirmed he was okay and had not been taken to the hospital.

"I was promptly attended by the race medical crew and I can assure you I’m already recovered," Do Nascimento wrote on his Instagram. "Unfortunately sometimes things don’t work out as we were hoping and planning."

Chebet, who already won in Boston this year, had accelerated around mile 15 and overcame apparent fatigue to burst a final sprint to cross the finish in two hours eight minutes 41 seconds, crouching to the ground and rolling onto his back. His victory completes a Kenyan sweep of the six men's world marathon majors in 2022.

Ethiopian runner Shura Kitata finished second in 2:08:54, and Dutchman Abdi Nageeye arrived third.

Female marathoner Lokedi, who made her marathon debut, stayed with the leading pack before taking off in the final stages to win in 2:23:23.

Israeli Lonah Chemtai Salpeter finished second in 2:23:30, and world champion Ethiopian Gotytom Gebreslase arrived third.

"I'm out of words, I'm really excited," said Lokedi, the eighth competitor to win the New York race in a marathon debut. "I'm just so happy that I did it here."

The 28-year-old said she had no expectations of winning the race and will consult her coach before deciding on another marathon.

"I just wanted to go and put myself in it and see where I'll end up," she told reporters. "Halfway through I felt really good."

The usually crisp and mild New York autumn conditions were replaced by heat up to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22.2 Celsius), among the hottest conditions in the race's history.

Swiss Marcel Hug made it look easy collecting a New York record-tying fifth men's wheelchair title, establishing a nearly two-minute lead by the 25-kilometer mark before crossing the finish line in a course record 1:25:26 to take his fifth major title of 2022.

American Susannah Scaroni scored the fastest-ever time through the five boroughs on the women's side, winning her second wheelchair major in 1:42:43.

What a memorable day! One that has ultimately confirmed that the people of New York are over with the past, happy about the present, and eager to celebrate the City they love. I am proud to be one of them.

Article and photos by Joseph Ralph Fraia

@jrfstudio - jrfstudio.com