Paris 2024 marathon gold and women’s bronze medalists will aim to retain their titles in the Big Apple
Tamirat Tola and Helen Obiri lead the elite bids for the 2024 TCS New York Marathon (November 3), with the pair looking for more success in the city following their accolades at the Paris Olympics.
Both of them Tola and Obiri dazzled on the streets of New York last yearwinning their first titles in the Big Apple.
Tola won the race in a record 2:04:58, bettering Geoffrey Mutai’s previous mark of 2:05:06 from 2011.
Obiri achieved her victory in equally impressive but different circumstances, defeating Letsenbeth Gidei, Sharon Lokedi and Brigid Kosgei.
Unsurprisingly, Tola and Obiri starred in the Olympic marathon with the former becoming Ethiopia’s first champion over the 26.2 mile Games since Sydney 2000 and the latter adding bronze to his 5000m silver medals.
“I’m excited to defend my title in New York, especially after my Olympic record marathon performance,” Tola said. “The hilly course and the crowds in Paris definitely prepared me well for the bridges and spectators in New York, where I can probably go even faster this year.”
Obiri added: “There’s no place like New York and I’m so ready to defend my title on what has become one of my favorite days of the year. I’ve been racing very well on the roads in the USA and hopefully I can have another good day that will come my way when we go to the final round at Central Park.”
For the pair to return to New York just months after their Olympic success is a tantalizing prospect for those lucky enough to watch in person.
However, both Tola and Obiri may not have it in their own way in New York.
Tamirat Tola (Getty)
Bashir Abdi is likely to dominate the men’s field
Bashir Abdi could easily be Tola’s biggest challenger in New York.
The Belgian finished 21 seconds behind the Ethiopian in Paris and upgraded his bronze from Tokyo to silver in the French capital.
Given the hilly nature of both the Paris and New York courses, it could be the same two battling it out for the Big Apple win.
Abdi is also the European record holder with a best of 2:03:36 from Rotterdam three years ago.
Evans Chebet is the fastest man in the field in 2:03:00 and the 2022 New York Marathon champion leads a host of Kenyans including 2021 winner Albert Korir, 2019 and 2017 winner Geoffrey Kamworor and New York Half champion Abel Kipchumban :
The U.S. challenge will be led by Conner Mantz and Clayton Young, who finished eighth and ninth, respectively, in the Olympic marathon.
Callum Hawkins, who burst onto the world marathon stage in his Olympic debut at Rio 2016 and ran 2:17:34 in London earlier this year after returning from injury, will compete in the New York race.
Bashir Abdi (Getty)
Multiple New York champions in the women’s division
Obiri will head into New York as the favourite, but will face a tough challenge to retain his crown.
Last year’s Olympic marathon bronze medalist beat Gidey by six seconds in an incredible final 400m sprint to cross the finish line first.
Obiri faces a wealth of experience in the field this year and 2022 champion Sharon Lockede, fourth at the Olympics and runner-up in Boston in March, will be one to watch.
Kenya has a strong delegation of athletes in both divisions and it includes 2010 champion Edna Kiplagat, four-time Olympic medalist Vivian Cheruiyot and 2:17:2 runner Sheila Chepkiru.
Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba, a three-time Olympian and an astonishing 16-time world medalist, is making his New York City Marathon debut.
The US trials will be led by Dakota Lindwurm, the highest-ranked American woman in the Olympics.
From a British perspective, Lily Partridge is competing in her third ever 26.2-mile race, having finished eighth and 21st in the 2018 London and 2023 Valencia marathons respectively.
Sharon Lockedy and Evans Chebet (Getty)
Wheelchair racing can be spectacular again
The New York City Wheelchair Race is kicking off in style, and this year is set to be no different.
Marcel Hoog will be the heavy favorite in the men’s field and will be aiming for seventh heaven in the Big Apple, where the six-time winner has dominated the marathon landscape for the past few years.
He has a personal best of 1:15:33 – an incredible three minutes and four seconds ahead of the next best competitor on the start line.
“The TCS New York City Marathon marks a brilliant end to the major marathons of the year, and the energy of the city and the enthusiasm of the spectators is unmatched, which motivates me to give it my all,” said Hoog.
“On this challenging course, surrounded by strong competitors, I relish the opportunity to show what I’m made of and highlight the dynamism of our sport. It’s an unforgettable experience every time.”
Marcel Hug (Getty)
Britain’s David Weir and Johnboy Smith will no doubt be aiming for podium places, with the former not stopping at 45 any time soon.
Eden Rainbow-Cooper will once again fly the flag in America and aim to recreate her historic victory at the Boston Marathon, where she became the first ever British woman to win the prestigious race.
Manuela Sher, Madison de Rosario, Tatiana McFadden and Suzanne Scaroni will no doubt challenge Rainbow-Cooper for the win in what is an incredibly strong field.
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