By OUR CORRESPONDENT
Defending champion Evans Chebet will challenge two-time winner Geoffrey Kamworor in the TCS New York City Marathon on November 5.
Edward Cheserek will make his marathon debut at the World Athletics Elite Platinum Label road race.
Kenya’s Chebet won the New York City Marathon last year in 2:08:41, seven months after winning the Boston Marathon.
He became the eighth man in history to win both races in the same year and the first since 2011. Chebet already retained his Boston title earlier this year and has finished first or second in 13 marathons.
“I feel very confident as I begin my preparations to defend my TCS New York City Marathon title,” Chebet said. “I understand that nobody has won Boston and New York in back-to-back years since Bill Rodgers in the 1970s, so making history will be my aim.”
Among those racing Chebet will be his compatriot Kamworor, the three-time world half marathon champion who is looking to become only the third athlete to win three TCS New York City Marathon men’s open division titles. He won in both 2019 and 2017 and has made the podium in all four of his appearances.
Kenya’s Cheserek, the most decorated athlete in NCAA history, will make his 26.2-mile debut, while the US contingent will be led by national champion Futsum Zeinasellassie and 2021 New York City Marathon fourth-place finisher Elkanah Kibet.
Along with the previously announced New York City Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi, Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri, Olympic gold medallist and 2021 New York City Marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir, and marathon world-record holder Brigid Kosgei, all top six finishers from last year’s women’s race will return.
In addition to Lokedi and Obiri, last year’s runner-up Lonah Chemtai Salpeter of Israel, as well as a third-place finisher and two-time World Championships medallist Gotytom Gebreslase of Ethiopia, will be back. Kenya’s Edna Kiplagat – a New York City, Boston, London, and World Championships Marathon winner – and Olympian Viola Cheptoo will also return.
