Tola and Obiri to Defend NYC Marathon Titles

NEW YORK (AP) — Defending champions Tamirat Tola and Hellen Obiri are poised to return to the New York City Marathon this November, leading a competitive field in the iconic race that traverses the city’s five boroughs. Tola, fresh off his Olympic record-setting victory at the Paris Games, expressed enthusiasm about defending his title, having previously broken the New York course record. He noted that his experience in Paris, with its challenging hills and enthusiastic crowds, has prepared him well for the New York course. The men’s field features notable past winners, including Geoffrey Kamworor, Albert Korir, and Evans Chebet, all hailing from Kenya. American runners Conner Mantz and Clayton Young, who finished eighth and ninth in Paris, are also expected to make a strong showing. Tola aims to replicate the success of Kenyan Peres Jepchirchir, who is the only athlete to win both an Olympic gold and the New York Marathon in the same year. On the women’s side, Obiri, who secured a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, is eager to compete again in New York. She hopes to become the first woman since Mary Keitany to win consecutive titles, having previously excelled in U.S. road races. The wheelchair division will feature Swiss athletes Marcel Hug and Manuela Schär, both of whom have a combined nine New York City Marathon victories. The race, organized by the nonprofit New York Road Runners, promises to be an exciting event for both participants and spectators alike.