Abdi Nagey repeats glory as Sifan Hassan leads star-studded NYC Marathon field
When the gun goes off on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on Sunday morning, the New York City Marathon will once again transform the five boroughs into a platform for endurance, strategy and pride. Now in its 54th edition, the race has drawn a field that mixes the familiar and the unexpected. From Abdi Nageye’s title defense to Sifan Hassan’s bid to assert his dominance, the day promises a mix of storylines that should keep even the casual fan glued to the coverage.
The conditions could not have been better. The forecast calls for cool temperatures in the early 40s, rising to the mid 50s by afternoon, and the usual light winds around town. Runners will have no excuses for the weather, although they must respect the course, which is long enough to make fast runners look ordinary. New York’s bridges, moving streets and sharp turns make it the slowest of the world’s major marathons, but also one of the most strategic. Here, rhythm, patience and nerve often determine who breaks the tape in Central Park.
Nageeye returns, but the field is hungry
Defending champion Abdi Nageye of the Netherlands enters this year’s race without much fanfare. His 2024 season was uneven. he won in New York and Rotterdam but finished only fourth in London and has not raced since the spring. However, Nageeye thrives on chaos, and the unpredictable rhythm of New York suits him. He’s not the fastest man on paper, but his ability to stay in shape while others falter has made him one of the most reliable racers in the sport.
Among his toughest rivals is 2024 London Marathon winner Alexander Mutiso Munyao, who has a personal best of 2:03:11 and a recent half-marathon win of 1:00:52. His smooth stride and willingness to step up could force Nagey to make early decisions. The question is whether Mutiso’s strength on flat courses translates to the city’s undulating layout.
Olympic bronze medalist and 2021 Boston winner Benson Kipruto has proven pedigree but has been inconsistent in recent form. Seventh place in Tokyo and third in Bogotá suggest uncertainty, but his marathon record is too strong to ignore. Abel Kipchumba, famous for his New York semi-final victories, has a raw speed of 58:07 for the half marathon, which suggests there could be progress if he finally scores the distance. And then there’s Albert Korir, the 2021 champion who seems to have a permanent residence near the top of the leaderboard. He has finished second and third in his last two appearances and knows every nook and cranny of this course.
A duel of masters. Kipchoge vs. Bekele
No matchup this weekend carries more nostalgia than that between Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele. Between them, they hold more Olympic medals, world records and world titles than any other pair in marathon history. At 41, Kipchoge is back in pursuit of the major he has yet to win, although recent results suggest the race may no longer be tilted in his favor. A ninth-place finish in Sydney and sixth in London raised questions about how much he had left.
Bekele, 43, remains the sport’s ultimate enigma, one who can shine one season and be absent the next. Her Masters world record of 2:04:15 in Paris last spring reminded fans that even in her forties she can summon something special. Kipchoge leads their marathon contest 4-1, although Bekele has the advantage of life over all distances. Whether or not one is fighting for victory is less important than seeing them side-by-side in Central Park, two of the greatest ever chasing the same finish, perhaps for the last time.
Hassan, Lokedi and Obiri lead a group of women into the field
The women’s race may be the most exciting in years. Sifan Hassan, who already has wins in Chicago, London and Sydney, returns from a nine-week turnaround after his Sydney win. The Dutch star has shown an unrivaled ability to manage a grueling race schedule, highlighted by his triple medal heroics in Paris. She has won four of her six career marathons and, despite her busy year, looks likely to control the race when the climbs start to pay off.
2022 champion Sharon Lockedy has become one of the most consistent marathoners in the sport. His victory in Boston this spring, complete with a dramatic finish over Helen Obiri and a five-minute personal best, cemented his reputation as a great closer. His 65:00 half marathon in Copenhagen this fall shows he’s ready for another run at the crown.
April 21, 2025
Boston, Massachusetts, USA, photo by Kevin Morris
Obiri, meanwhile, returns with unfinished business. The 2023 New York champion has been nearly flawless since moving to the fairways, finishing on the podium in every major she has entered. His rivalry with Lockedi adds another layer to Sunday’s drama as the pair renew their battle at the 26.2-mile mark.
Defending champion Sheila Chepkiru and Ethiopia’s Gotitom Gebreslase add depth to a field loaded with past winners. And behind them, veterans Vivian Cheruiyot and Edna Kiplagat will play a rematch of their 2024 battle, offering a masterclass in durability and grace.
