The New York City Marathon 2004
The Women’s report
Yet again the Women started 25 minutes before the Men. , this year justified the change when the Women provided a race for compelling and enthralling watching. All eyes were on Paula, and so were ours.
After the Athens’ debacle, Radcliffe’s air of invincibility was no longer an issue with her rivals and as the race began to unfold it was quite evident that they would look for signs of weakening.
Radcliffe held firm after a tremendous tussle with Kenya’s Susan Chepkemei over the closing stages of the race. All the introspection which Athens may have provided Radcliffe will hopefully be washed cleaned by New York. The Brit, had all the opportunity to have doubts about her ability, Chepkemei continually sought a crack in the English women’s mentaly fragility.
Radcliffe passed the tests that the Boroughs of New York provided and came away with a fine victory and a positive outlook to 2005. Winning time: 2:23:10
The Men’s report
New York was to signal the American revolution and with the 2nd placing of Meb Keflezighi in 2:09:53, the process is on its way. Also of significance, was the winner, Hendrik Ramaala of South Africa, who had yet to truly shine over the distance and now joins compatriot, Willie Mtolo – winner 1992, as the 2nd athlete from that republic to have won.
The manner in which Ramaala took the lead, with such contemptuous ease, will change the shape of this athletes’ future races over the distance. No longer will they allow him to have such an easy gallop to the finish. Ramaala surged away with less than 3 kilometers to go and was never challenged again. He went on to win comfortably in 2:09:28, ahead of Meb’s 2:09:53 and Kenya’s Timothy Cherigat in 3rd with 2:10:00
Summary
New York signalled the return of Radcliffe to role of World leader in the marathon and moved Ramaala into the serious marathoner category.
Both athletes will revel in their reversal of fortune after New York and all can congratulate Kenya’s Susan Chepkemei, after her wonderful gutsy performance in running Radcliffe all the way to the line.
Her gutsy display will long be remembered.
New York Winners 2004