Ethiopian marathon runner Tamirat Tola raised his arms in celebration during the medal ceremony after winning gold in the men's marathon at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, on Saturday, August 10. (Photo by Dar Yasin/AP)
In November, the world-renowned New York City Marathon will once again take center stage, and reigning champions Tamirat Tola and Hellen Obiri are gearing up to defend their titles. Both athletes are set to face strong competition in this iconic race that spans all five boroughs of New York City.
Tamirat Tola, fresh off a gold medal at the Paris Games where he set an Olympic record, is particularly excited to return to New York. The Ethiopian runner not only won last year’s marathon but also broke the New York course record. With his Olympic success under his belt, Tola is determined to challenge himself even further in the upcoming marathon.
“I’m excited to defend my title in New York, especially after setting an Olympic-record marathon,” Tola shared. “The hilly terrain in Paris, coupled with the vibrant crowds, has prepared me well for the demanding course and enthusiastic spectators in New York. Maybe this year, I can push myself to an even faster finish.”
Tola is not alone in his pursuit of marathon greatness. The men's field will feature several top-tier athletes, including former NYC Marathon winners Geoffrey Kamworor (2017, 2019), Albert Korir (2021), and Evans Chebet (2022), all hailing from Kenya. Additionally, Belgium's Bashir Abdi, who secured a silver medal in Paris, will also be competing. American runners Conner Mantz and Clayton Young, who placed eighth and ninth in Paris, are among the top U.S. contenders.
In the women's race, Kenya’s Hellen Obiri is eager to return to the streets of New York. Obiri, who claimed a bronze medal in the Paris Olympics, is ready to defend her title in the city she has come to love.
“There’s no place like New York,” Obiri expressed with excitement. “I’m so ready to defend my title on what has become one of my favourite days of the year. I’ve been performing well in U.S. races, and I hope to be in contention once again as we approach the final stretch in Central Park.”
The women’s field will also see previous champions Sharon Lokedi (2022) and Edna Kiplagat (2010) of Kenya return, as well as standout American runners Des Linden, Aliphine Tuliamuk, and Jenny Simpson.
In the wheelchair division, Swiss athletes Marcel Hug and Manuela Schär, who have won a combined nine NYC Marathon titles, are expected to lead the competition.
History suggests that defending a marathon title in New York is a significant challenge. The last man to achieve this feat was Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai, who won back-to-back races in 2011 and 2013, with the 2012 marathon cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy. Obiri, on the other hand, will be looking to become the first woman since Mary Keitany to secure consecutive wins. Keitany achieved this remarkable feat by winning three titles in a row from 2014 to 2016.
Tola, meanwhile, has his sights set on joining an elite group of athletes who have won both Olympic gold and the New York City Marathon in the same year. Kenyan runner Peres Jepchirchir accomplished this in 2021 during an extraordinary period when she also won the Boston Marathon.
The New York City Marathon has been a celebrated event since its inception in 1970. Last year, more than 50,000 runners crossed the finish line, making it one of the most popular races in the world. The event is organized by the nonprofit New York Road Runners, ensuring that the marathon continues to inspire and challenge athletes from around the globe.
