Zouhair Talbi led three U.S. men to top-10 placings at today’s New York City Marathon, finishing sixth in 2:06:43. After surging to the front twice between halfway and 30K (18.6 miles), Talbi lost contact with the leaders in the 25th mile when eventual winner Andreas Almgren of Sweden, defending champion Benson Kipruto of Kenya, and eventual runner-up Yeman Crippa of Italy really started battling. In his debut marathon, Ahmed Muhumed was the second U.S. finisher, placing eighth in 2:07:09.
The time makes him the tenth-fastest U.S. marathoner ever; the challenging New York City course adds to the import of that achievement. Ryan Ford, who was often among those fronting the 20+-man lead pack in the first half of the race, was the third U.S. finisher, placing tenth in 2:07:17. Conner Mantz placed 11th in 2:07:26 in his first marathon since setting the U.S. record of 2:04:43 last year in Chicago.
One of Mantz’s training partners, Aiden Troutner, lowered his personal best by almost a minute and a half to place 14th in 2:08:54. Talbi was already having a career year entering today’s race. He won the Houston Marathon in January in 2:05:45, which makes him the fifth-fastest American ever on a record-eligible course.
He placed fifth at Boston in April in 2:03:45. (Times at the Boston course don’t count for record purposes because of the net elevation loss on the point-to-point course.) Seven weeks ago, he won the Great North Run, a half marathon in England. There, he outkicked Alex Mutiso of Kenya, who has won the London Marathon and was second at New York City last year. Talbi said that victory gave him the confidence that he could take on the best in the world in the marathon.
He ran accordingly today. As the massive lead pack approached halfway, he ran a 4:46 13th mile, causing the pack to dwindle. Talbi had a 5-second lead as he and his pursuers approached the 59th Street Bridge for the run into Manhattan.
He was caught on the bridge, but remained in contention once the real racing began in the 23rd mile. At 40K (24.09 miles), Talbi was in fourth, just 6 seconds behind eventual winner Almgren. But the earlier fast running caught up to him in the mostly uphill final 600 meters in Central Park, and he fell back to sixth.
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