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By Doug Feinberg, AP Sports activities Author
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Metropolis Marathon ladies’s document, which has stood for 20 years, may go down Nov. 5 with one of many strongest fields assembled within the historical past of the race.
Reigning champion Sharon Lokedi appears to defend her title towards a stellar group of feminine runners that features Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri, Olympic gold medalist and 2021 New York champion Peres Jepchirchir and former marathon world-record holder Brigid Kosgei.
“It was very life-changing,” Lokedi mentioned of profitable final 12 months. “Very excited to be again right here once more.”
She’ll have some added assist from her mom, who flew to New York from Kenya and will probably be ready on the end line in Central Park.
All will probably be aiming for the $50,000 bonus if they’ll beat the NYC occasion document of two:22:31 set by Margaret Okayo in 2003. Obiri gained the Boston Marathon in April, decreasing her private finest to 2:21:38.
“The sphere will probably be very robust after I’m along with them,” Kosgei mentioned.
Lokedi gained in her marathon debut final 12 months, taking the New York laurel wreath crown in 2:23.23. She pulled away within the ultimate two miles of the race, profitable in unseasonably heat temperatures within the 70s. It was one of many hottest days in race historical past because the marathon was moved to November in 1986.
The temperatures on Nov. 5 are anticipated within the excessive 50s, significantly higher for the 50,000 runners anticipated to start out the race.
“I’m comfortable it is going to be cooler,” Lokedi mentioned.
The 4 Kenyans all have an opportunity to win the race. There doubtless gained’t be many American runners in rivalry as a result of the U.S. Olympic marathon trials are three months away. Kellyn Taylor and Molly Huddle are the highest U.S. runners within the race, returning after giving start to daughters in 2022. Huddle completed third on the 2016 NYC Marathon in her debut on the distance.
“We’ve acquired a extremely robust group,” Taylor mentioned. “Once I take a look at the individuals seeded forward of me, I’m like ‘holy moly.’ Their accolades are mild years forward of mine. However that’s the fantastic thing about New York is that you could put all of that apart and something can occur on that day.”
The present ladies’s world document is 2:11:53, set by Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia on the Berlin Marathon in September.
Whereas the boys’s subject might not have the star energy of the ladies’s aspect, there’s nonetheless a number of intrigue. Defending champion Evans Chebet and two-time winner Geoffrey Kamworor pulled out of the race a number of weeks in the past, leaving it extra extensive open.
World Championship medalists Maru Teferi of Israel and Mosinet Geremew of Ethiopia may win the race, together with 2021 New York Marathon champion Albert Korir. There’s additionally marathon newcomer Edward Cheserek, who moved to the U.S. in 2010 and gained 17 NCAA titles in his school profession.
Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola additionally hopes to enhance on his consecutive fourth-place finishes in 2018-19. He positioned third within the 2022 Toyko Marathon and the London Marathon this 12 months. He’s in search of his first main marathon victory.
TICKET TO PARIS
The New York Metropolis Marathon serves because the U.S. Paralympic Trials, with as much as 4 wheelchair racers set to change into the primary athletes throughout all sports activities to make the staff for the 2024 Paris Video games.
The highest two Individuals within the males’s and ladies’s NYC Marathon will qualify, offered additionally they document a minimal qualifying time since final October and are ranked excessive sufficient.
Susannah Scaroni has already posted that point and rating.
“It will imply so much. A lot gratitude,” she mentioned. “Would like to make the staff in a kind of two slots Sunday. It will be unbelievable to know I’m going to the Paralympics.”
Daniel Romanchuk is an eight-time main winner, most just lately in Boston in 2022. He has persistently been the highest American in majors, solely surpassed by Swiss Marcel Hug, who has dominated the game.
EXTRA PROTECTION
The New York Police Division will implement heightened safety measures for the marathon.
“As tensions rise across the globe, there’s a rising concern over the influence it is going to have right here at residence,” mentioned NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban. “There are at present no credible or particular threats to the marathon or to our metropolis. However having mentioned that, we’ll nonetheless implement a complete safety plan.”
There have been quite a few protests in New York Metropolis because the begin of the Israel-Hamas conflict final month.
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AP sports activities: https://apnews.com/sports activities
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