By OUR CORRESPONDENT
Three-time Olympic medallist and seven-time world medallist is ready to defend her TNC New York City Marathon on November 3.
Last year the Kenyan became the first woman in 34 years to win both Boston and New York in the same calendar year.
So far this year, she retained her Boston Marathon title and went on to earn bronze in the Olympic marathon.
“There’s no place like New York, and I am so ready to defend my title,” said Obiri.
“I have been racing very well on the roads in the US, and I hope I can have another good day that sees me in contention once we enter the final stages in Central Park.”
Fellow Kenyan Sharon Lokedi, the 2022 NYC Marathon winner, will return after finishing third last year and fourth in the Olympic marathon in Paris.
The Kenyan delegation will also include 2010 champion Edna Kiplagat, four-time Olympic medallist Vivian Cheruiyot, and Sheila Chepkirui, who owns the fastest personal best in the field.
Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba will make her New York City Marathon debut and is one of the world’s most accomplished long-distance runners as a three-time Olympic and 16-time world champion. She will be joined by compatriot Senbere Teferi.
Dakotah Lindwurm, the top US finisher in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, will lead the US contingent.
In the men’s category, three past winners – all from Kenya – are also in the field: 2022 champion Evans Chebet, 2021 winner Albert Korir, and 2019 and 2017 victor Geoffrey Kamworor.
Chebet has twice won the Boston Marathon, and has finished first or second in 13 marathons. Kamworor has made it on to the podium in all four of his New York Marathon appearances.
Fellow Kenyan Abel Kipchumba, who won this year’s NYC Half Marathon, will be making his New York City Marathon debut.
