On November 3, the streets of New York will once again buzz with the footsteps of marathon legends as Hellen Obiri and Tamirat Tola return to defend their titles at the prestigious TCS New York City Marathon. This year’s race promises an extraordinary showcase of endurance and talent, with a star-studded line-up that sets the stage for record-breaking performances and thrilling athletic rivalries.
Men's Preview:
Tamirat Tola, the reigning champion, not only shattered the course record last year with a blistering time of 2:04:58 but also clinched the Olympic gold in Paris, setting a new Olympic record of 2:06:26. His phenomenal rise to prominence was secured after a last-minute call to join the Ethiopian Olympic team, proving his resilience and competitive spirit. Tola, who has consistently delivered outstanding performances, including a personal best of 2:03:39 in Amsterdam 2021, eagerly anticipates the challenge of New York's demanding course.
Facing Tola is Belgium's Bashir Abdi, marking a riveting rematch of the Paris Olympic Marathon. Abdi, who claimed silver in Paris with a finish of 2:06:47, also holds the European record with a time of 2:03:36 set in Rotterdam 2021. Their competition is further intensified by the presence of three former New York Marathon champions from Kenya—Geoffrey Kamworor, Albert Korir, and Evans Chebet—who bring their own rich histories of marathon triumphs.
Kamworor, a two-time winner in 2017 and 2019, has never finished off the podium in all his appearances in New York. With a career adorned with multiple world championship medals and personal bests like a marathon time of 2:04:23 in London 2023, he is a formidable contender.
Evans Chebet and Albert Korir, both past victors, return with their impressive marathon credentials. Chebet, victorious in the 2022 and 2023 Boston Marathons, and Korir, the 2021 New York Marathon champion, add depth to an already competitive field.
Newcomers like Abel Kipchumba, the 2024 New York Half Marathon winner making his full marathon debut here, and Addisu Gobena from Ethiopia, recent victor of the Dubai Marathon, are eager to make their mark. American runners Conner Mantz and Clayton Young, both top finishers in the Paris Olympics, aim to contend strongly on their home turf.
Women’s Race:
In the women's competition, Hellen Obiri returns with the aim to replicate her victorious 2022 performance, where she made history by winning both the Boston and New York Marathons in the same year. With an impressive season that includes defending her Boston title and securing an Olympic bronze in Paris, Obiri is a favorite for the crown.
Challenging her will be Sharon Lokedi, the 2022 New York Marathon winner and a consistent podium finisher. The Kenyan contingent is strong with veterans like Edna Kiplagat, a former New York Marathon winner, and Shelia Chepkirui, holder of the fastest personal best in the field with 2:17:23.
The international challenge features Vivian Cheruiyot and Tirunesh Dibaba, both decorated athletes making significant returns. Cheruiyot, at 41, demonstrates her enduring competitiveness, while Dibaba debuts in New York with a storied track career that includes three Olympic golds.
Eunice Chumba of Bahrain and Switzerland's Fabienne Schlumpf, both national record holders, along with top American runners Desiree Linden and Kellyn Taylor, round out a formidable group of elite athletes poised for an unforgettable race through the iconic cityscape of New York.