New York City Marathon: Dark Sky’s Lokedi 9th, NAZ Elite’s Taylor 10th for Women; Linkletter Top Flagstaff Man in 15th

Other Results: Baxter Wins Pittsburgh 10 Miler; Tomajczyk 3rd at USATF Trail Half Championships

Flagstaff pro runners battled it out through the five boroughs of New York on Sunday morning, and many produced good showings — though, of course, not what they would have preferred, a podium spot.

Dark Sky Distance’s Sharon Lokedi, who won the New York Marathon in 2022 and finished third last year, stayed with the lead pack through 35K, when she slowed and dropped 20 seconds off. Lokedi had been passed by Sara Vaughn, the top American finisher, but held on to finish ninth in 2:27:45.

Just behind her came NAZ Elite’s Kellyn Taylor in 10th at 2:27:59. Coming off knee surgery in August, Taylor stayed with the leaders through the half marathon but fell back. At 35K, she was sandwiched between fellow Americans Jess McClain and Dakotah Popehn. Taylor ended up beating Popehn, an Olympian, and finishing two places behind McClain.

Other Flagstaff-based women: Aliphine Tuliamuk (19th, in 2:3210), former NAU runner Jessa Hanson (20th, 2:32:43), Katja Goldring (22nd, 2:37:52).

In the men’s race, NAZ Elite’s Wesley Kiptoo, running only his second marathon, mixed it up with the leaders through the 20-mile mark, solidly in the top five. But, less than two miles later, the lead pack pulled away and Kiptoo was about 30 off the lead, though still in the top 10. However, the last couple of miles were a struggle for the Kenyan, whose last mile was at 6:04 minutes. He finished 16th in 2:11:15.

Thirteen seconds in front of Kiptoo in 15th was Canadian Olympian and Flagstaffian Rory Linkletter, in 2:11:45. It was Linkletter’s first marathon under new coach Jon Green of Flagstaff’s Verde Track Club, and the third fastest of his career.

NAZ Elite’s Futsum Zienasellassie finished 32 seconds behind Kiptoo in 2:12:32 for 17th.

— Pittsburgh 10: There were other races on the docket besides New York. At the Pittsburgh EQT 10 Miler, NAZ Elite’s Matt Baxter easily beat Reid Buchanan and Andrew Bowman for the repeat victory. It was a nice tune-up for Baxter, who will race the Valencia Marathon in five weeks.

In the women’s race, NAZ Elite’s Stephanie Bruce finished second to Molly Grabill. Grabill pulled away to win in 53:48, Bruce behind in 54:15, and former NAU and current McKirdy Trained runner Jeralyn Poe placing third in 55:27.

— USATF Trail Half: Sunday at the USATF Trail Half Marathon Championship in Moab, Utah, Williams’ Rachel Tomajczyk grabbed a podium spot with a third place finish in 1:37:36. Flagstaff’s Emily Clarke was eighth in 1:45:07. On the men’s side, the highest local finisher was Eric Hamel, 12th in 1:27:29.

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