NOV 02, V7N- The New York Marathon this Sunday will feature a competitive field, including 29 Olympians and Paralympians, with many top athletes opting to race despite their recent participation in the Paris Games. Defending champions Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia and Hellen Obiri of Kenya will be among the notable competitors, with Tola having won gold and Obiri having claimed bronze in Paris.

Sam Grotewold, the general manager of professional athletes for New York Road Runners, noted a surprisingly low level of attrition among elite runners typically expected in an Olympic year, where fatigue often leads some to withdraw. Instead of the anticipated increase in withdrawals, only two runners from Paris opted out, a significantly lower number than expected. This may be attributed to advancements in training, nutrition, and shoe technology, particularly the introduction of "super shoes," which allow athletes to recover faster after races.

In addition to Tola, the field includes Bashir Abdi of Belgium, who is looking for his first major win after several podium finishes, and Evans Chebet, who won the New York Marathon in 2021 and has also triumphed in Boston. On the women’s side, Obiri will face strong competition from fellow Kenyans Sharon Lokedi, the previous New York Marathon winner, and Vivian Cheruiyot, a former London Marathon champion.

The marathon is a key event in the fall racing calendar, and despite the recent Olympic commitments, many athletes are eager to compete, potentially setting the stage for exciting performances.

END/WSP/RH/