for Kenya."

Joyciline Jepkosgei became the first woman to win her debut New York race since Kenya's Tegla Loroupe in 1994. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images

It was a signature moment -- the marathon debutant taking the torch from one of the best marathoners of all time. American Shalane Flanagan, the 2017 winner here and a member of this year's TCS New York City Marathon Broadcast Team, called this a "no-excuse race day." Conditions were a perfect 50 degrees with a steady but light breeze.

"Obviously, both of them are fantastic," American Desi Linden said afterward. "Mary is what, 37? Obviously, at some point, there is going to be a changing of the guard, and Joyciline is fantastic in the half. And to step into her first marathon and knockit out of the park and beat one of the greats [is] great. No shortage of stars here."

Here is what you need to know about Jepkosgei, running's latest star:

Her background in a nutshell

Joyciline Jepkosgei and Mary Keitany, left, were neck and neck until the final three miles. Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Jepkosgei broke into the list of elite athletes after winning the Prague Half Marathon in April 2017, becoming the first woman to break the 65-minute mark. That year, she also set records in the 10K, 15K and 20K, all within six months. Jepkosgei's idol is Kenya's Edna Kiplagat, who won the 2017 Boston Marathon. Kiplagat's personal record of 2:19:50, set at the 2012 London Marathon, inspired Jepkosgei to be a better runner. The first time Jepkosgei visited the U.S.