The men’s gold and women’s bronze marathon medallists from Paris 2024 will aim to retain their titles in the Big Apple
Tamirat Tola and Hellen Obiri headline the 2024 TCS New York Marathon (November 3), with the pair targeting even more success in the city after their plaudits at the Paris Olympics.
Both Tola and Obiri dazzled on the streets of New York last year, winning their first ever titles in the Big Apple.
Tola won the race in a staggering course record of 2:04:58, bettering Geoffrey Mutai’s previous mark of 2:05:06 from 2011.
Obiri claimed her victory in equally impressive but different circumstances, beating the likes of Letesenbet Gidey, Sharon Lokedi and Brigid Kosgei.
No surprise then that Tola and Obiri starred in the Olympic marathon, with the former becoming Ethiopia’s first champion over 26.2 miles at the Games since Sydney 2000 and the latter adding bronze to her two 5000m silver medals.
“I’m excited to defend my title in New York, especially coming off an Olympic-record marathon performance,” said Tola. “The hilly course and crowds in Paris definitely prepared me well for the bridges and spectators in New York, where maybe I can go even faster this year.”
Obiri added: “There’s no place like New York, and I am so ready to defend my title on what has become one of my favourite days of the year. I have been racing very well on the roads in the U.S., and I hope I can have another good day that sees me in contention once we enter the final stages in Central Park.”
For the pair to be back in New York just a few months after Olympic success is an enticing prospect for those who are lucky enough to watch in person.
However, both Tola and Obiri may not have it their own way in New York.
Tamirat Tola (Getty)
Bashir Abdi likely to lead charge in men’s field
Bashir Abdi could quite 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 may well end up being the same two battling it out for the win in the Big Apple.
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 with 2:03:00 and the 2022 New York City Marathon champion leads a myriad of Kenyans that includes 2021 winner Albert Korir, 2019 and 2017 victor Geoffrey Kamworor and this year’s NYC Half champion Abel…
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