Runners Hit Roads For 2018 TCS New York City Marathon
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — The world once again turned its attention to the Big Apple on Sunday for 2018 TCS New York City Marathon.
More than 50,000 runners from across the globe pushed themselves to the limit to traverse each of the five boroughs over a whopping 26 miles and change.
Along the route, 2.5 million spectators cheered and thousands of heavily armed NYPD officers stood guard, keeping everyone in attendance safe. That included uniformed and undercover cops in the air, water, and ground looking for anything suspicious and ready to act if something went awry.
MORE: NYPD Ramps Up Security Ahead Of 2018 TCS New York City Marathon
The race began on Staten Island, with the first group of runners setting off at 8:30 a.m. They made their way through Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx before arriving at the finish line in Central Park.
CBS2's Vanessa Murdock took part in Sunday's race and documented her journey.
Shortly after 10 a.m., Manuela Schär of Switzerland won her second New York City Marathon in a row competing in the women's wheelchair division.
And @manuelaschaer ???????? makes it 2 #TCSNYCMarathon titles in a row, breaking the tape in the women's wheelchair division! pic.twitter.com/FH2HWP7OdP
— TCS New York City Marathon (@nycmarathon) November 4, 2018
American Daniel Romanchuk took home the title of NYC Marathon winner in the men's wheelchair division.
Daniel Romanchuk ???????? is your 2018 #TCSNYCMarathon men's wheelchair division champion! pic.twitter.com/hSqUDVxZE4
— TCS New York City Marathon (@nycmarathon) November 4, 2018
For the fourth time in her running career, Mary Keitany of Kenya won the New York City Marathon in the women's division.
That's 4 #TCSNYCMarathon wins for Keitany! ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/EWQJcc8Yyb
— TCS New York City Marathon (@nycmarathon) November 4, 2018
Last year's champion, American Shalane Flanagan, finished third. Flanagan has now finished first, second, and third in her three marathon appearances. The American women had a big showing this year with four runners finishing in the Top 10.
We said the ???????? women would be strong and wow, they did not disappoint! @ShalaneFlanagan 3rd, @MollyHuddle 4th, @des_linden 6th, @AllieKieffer 7th ???? #TCSNYCMarathon - @trackjenny
— TCS New York City Marathon (@nycmarathon) November 4, 2018
Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia was the first runner in the men's division to cross the finish line Sunday afternoon. Desisa won the 2018 marathon in 2 hours, 5 minutes, and 59 seconds, finishing just two seconds ahead of second-place finisher Shura Kitata.
Around 1 p.m., CBS2's Vanessa Murdock was one of several runners to cross into Manhattan over the Queensboro Bridge.
Later on, Murdock ran into another familiar face in the crowd, CBS2's Andrea Grymes.