Legends, rising stars and unfinished business will shape the New York City Marathon showdown

Legends, rising stars and unfinished business will shape the New York City Marathon showdown

The 2024 New York City Marathon marks the final chapter in an exciting distance running season. With Olympic medalists, former champions and rising stars among men‘s and women‘s fields, s.t‘the race is set to wrap up the marathon calendar with plenty of drama. Men‘s and women‘Each of the races brings unique stories. Defending Olympic champions, rivalries reignited and athletes chased the elusive podium. Here‘how each field stacks up.

Men‘race Tola and the return of the titans

On men‘The current Olympic champion, Ethiopian Tamirat Tola, is the favorite. Tola has emerged as a dominant figure in championship-style marathons where pacemakers are absent and the race becomes a battle of endurance and strategy. Known for his ability to pull away in the second half of the race, Tola‘A recent personal best of 2:03:39 highlights his potential to dominate the field. New York‘Seamless, the drivetrain perfectly suits Tola’s racing style, giving it a decided edge.

Still Tola‘the record is not‘t flawless; he‘s had top results in London and Budapest, where he mysteriously dropped out. This unpredictability leaves room for competitors to capitalize if Tola‘Achilles‘ the heel reappears. Evans Chebet, who briefly reigned as world‘One such contender is the best marathon runner. Chebet has won three major marathons–Boston in 2022, New York in 2022 and Boston again in 2023. However, an injury kept him out of last year.‘The New York race and its non-selection for Kenya‘The Olympic team adds extra motivation for Chebet to regain his place as a leader. With his 2:05:54 course record set in 2023, Chebet knows the ins and outs of New York and has both the speed and experience to contend.

Two other names to watch are Kenya‘Geoffrey Kamvoror and Albert Korir. Volunteer, a two-time winner of the New York City Marathon (2017 and 2019), returns with a shot at a third title. Known for his explosive hitting in the latter stages, Kamworor‘His experience on this course makes him a formidable presence. Korir, meanwhile, has proven consistent here with 1st, 2nd, 7th and another podium finish in 2023.

Olympic silver medalist Bashir Abdi from Belgium, who has become a reliable competitor of the championship, will enter the field.

His history with Olympic medalist and former Dutch training partner Abdi Nageye adds another layer to the race. While Abdi was second in Paris, Nagei dropped back.

Then there‘CJ Albertson, an American white card who defies marathon norms. Known for his unconventional approach, he recently set a personal best of 2:08:17 in Chicago, just three weeks before New York. With his eccentric racing style, Albertson has already finished this year as the top American in Boston and Chicago. While another top performance so soon would be unusual, his unpredictability makes him an attractive figure on the field.

(Editor’s Note: We also can’t discount Connor Mantz and Clayton Young in the American field, who finished 8th and 9th in the Paris Olympic Marathon, as well as taking the top two spots at the 2024 US Olympic Trials. )

Women‘s race. Obira‘s Quest for Encore

In women‘race, all eyes are on Kenya‘Helen Obiri. Obiri quickly rose through the marathon ranks, making history as the first to win Boston and New York in the same year., an achievement no woman had achieved in 34 years. Obiri arrives in New York this year looking to defend his title after winning the Boston Marathon in April. His season has been remarkable. he even won a bronze medal at the Olympics despite being injured a few weeks before the Games.

Women‘s field also features Sheila Chepkirui, a fast marathoner who holds the field‘s fastest personal best of 2:17:29. While his record shows potential, he has yet to score a significant win, leaving his position in this race unpredictable. Ethiopia’s Sanberi Teferi is another contender who has excelled in shorter road races but lacks‘t secured a significant victory in the marathon. Both athletes will need more than quick time to find success in New York, where tactical insight can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

Adding to the intrigue are two legends, Vivian Cheruyo and Tirunesh Dibaba. Their rivalry spans more than two decades, with both athletes dominating the track in the 5,000m and 10,000m. Black and white‘s 2:18:31 and Dibaba‘s 2:17:56 personal bests rank them second and third fastest in the field, though neither has completely translated their dominance into marathon success. This could serve as a symbolic final act in their storied rivalry, offering fans a nostalgic subplot reminiscent of some of the greatest battles in long-distance running history.

NYC:‘A demanding course. Where are legends made?

The New York City Marathon is known for its grueling course. Spanning the five boroughs, the course runs through neighborhoods from Staten Island to the Bronx to the final stretch of Central Park. Unlike some of the flatter, record-breaking marathon courses, New York‘Elevation changes and tight turns require careful walking and smart strategy. The lack of pacemakers increases the challenge, turning the race into a chess game of endurance and mental combat.

For veterans, the course represents a final test, an opportunity to build reputation or return. For first time runners it‘s initiative in sports‘the most popular arenas. With a field packed with Olympians, past champions and rising stars this year, every runner will be fighting for more than just the title.–they‘I will apply for a place in New York‘the history of the marathon. As the runners depart on Sunday, November 3, the streets of New York will once again bear witness to the world.‘the most anticipated matches of the marathon.