This Sunday, November 3, the streets of New York will host the iconic New York Marathon, a race that attracts thousands of runners from around the world. This year, the event will feature prominent Olympic medalists. Among the main figures in this edition are Ethiopian Tamirat Tola and Kenyan Hellen Obiri, who recently shone at the Paris 2024 Olympics and are looking to defend their titles in the Big Apple. Both champions aim to extend their victories in one of the world’s most prestigious marathons.
The 2024 New York Marathon not only marks the 53rd edition of this renowned race but also provides a platform for athletes to solidify their status among the greats of world athletics. Other important figures will also compete, including Belgian Bashir Abdi and Kenyans Sharon Lokedi and Edna Kiplagat, who promise to bring high-level competition.
OLYMPIANS PRESENT
Tamirat Tola and Hellen Obiri arrive as the standout favorites for the 2024 New York Marathon. Tola, the defending champion and holder of the course record with a time of 2:04:58, aims to make history this year following his recent Olympic victory in Paris 2024, where he set a new record of 2:06:26. Aspiring to become only the second athlete to win both the Olympic and New York marathons in the same year, he will face strong opponents such as Belgian Bashir Abdi and Kenyans Evans Chebet, Albert Korir, and Geoffrey Kamworor.
Meanwhile, Hellen Obiri will defend her title after a season in which she won the Boston Marathon and earned bronze in Paris 2024. The Kenyan has shown exceptional versatility across various distances, making her one of the top contenders for victory. Her skill will be tested against her compatriots Sharon Lokedi and Edna Kiplagat, as well as Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba, promising an exciting race that may be decided in the final stretches through Central Park.
THE ICONIC NEW YORK COURSE
The New York Marathon is known for its challenging and picturesque 42.195-kilometer route, which runs through the city’s five boroughs: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan. The race starts on the Verrazano Bridge and finishes in iconic Central Park, where millions of New Yorkers will cheer on the runners along the way. This marathon represents not only a physical test but also a cultural experience, with each borough offering a unique atmosphere for participants.
The average finishing time last year was 4 hours and 39 minutes, highlighting the demanding nature of the course. This mix of challenge and public support makes the New York Marathon a special event for elite and amateur runners alike.
TRADITION AND COMPETITION
With over 50 years of history, the New York Marathon upholds its status as one of the most important events in global athletics. This year, with more than 50,000 runners from 150 countries, the race once again brings together elite athletes and amateurs, all with a shared goal: to push their limits on one of the world’s most iconic courses.
The New York Marathon spans the city’s five boroughs, offering runners an iconic course lined with thousands of cheering New Yorkers. The energy of the streets and the finish in Central Park make the race a true celebration of sport and personal achievement, solidifying it as a landmark global event.