Begin spreading the information, I’m leavin’ at this time. I need to be part of it–New York, New York!
We’re simply days away from the world’s largest marathon main: the 2024 TCS New York Metropolis Marathon. Final yr, greater than 1,000 Canadian runners made the journey to the Huge Apple, and this yr, the race has already set document numbers. One Canadian athlete to look at is Olympic marathoner Rory Linkletter, who will make his NYC Marathon debut, 11 weeks after competing in Paris.
Linkletter lately shared with Canadian Working that he’s feeling very motivated after his Olympic debut, which he described as “a mixture of satisfaction and disappointment.” The 28-year-old felt he did every little thing doable to organize for the difficult Olympic marathon course, solely to complete forty seventh, in 2:13:09. Canada’s second-fastest marathoner got here into Paris contemporary off his career-best efficiency at February’s Seville Marathon, the place he clocked a 2:08:01, qualifying for the Olympics by 9 seconds.
This NYC Marathon construct has been totally different for Linkletter as he adapts to new coach Jon Inexperienced, who additionally coaches U.S. 2020 Olympic bronze medallist Molly Seidel. New York is famously referred to as the hardest Abbott World Main, with a course winding via 5 boroughs and ending with the hills of Central Park. Linkletter shared that, quite than attempting to grasp the course, he’s centered on getting as match as doable for race day, Nov. 3.
May we see an American victory?
Linkletter’s former collegiate teammates from Brigham Younger College, Conner Mantz and Clayton Younger, are two Individuals to look at on Sunday. The duo prepare collectively below coach Ed Eyestone in Utah, and Mantz is coming off a near-personal-best on the Paris Olympics, the place he completed eighth. The Paris and NYC programs are comparable, in that a lot of the course’s elevation acquire happens within the latter half. Younger, who completed ninth behind Mantz in Paris, has run below 2:09:30 in his final three marathons, making him one other contender. The American duo mentioned they’re in the most effective form of their careers–which they should be to deal with the sturdy East African males’s area.
The return of the king
Reigning NYC champion Tamirat Tola proved himself to be the world’s greatest marathoner three months in the past in Paris, the place he claimed gold in an Olympic document time of two:06:26 on a difficult course. Tola has gained two of his final three marathons and set the NYC course document of two:04:58 final yr. At Friday’s press convention, Tola mentioned he was happy together with his course document, however felt he might have gone even sooner. His victory in Paris mirrored his NYC win final yr, as he broke away from the sphere midway via and by no means seemed again.
This yr’s area is even stronger, with the return of 2022 champion Evans Chebet of Kenya, Olympic silver medallist Bashir Abdi of Belgium, 2021 NYC champion Albert Korir and 2019 champion Geoffrey Kamworor. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see if Tola can develop into the primary Ethiopian to win back-to-back NYC Marathon titles.
Prediction: Tamirat Tola (2:05:45)
Will the ladies’s course document be damaged?
Hellen Obiri returns after her historic dash victory final yr in Central Park. In 2023, Obiri outpaced Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey, Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei and Sharon Lokedi within the ultimate kilometre, capturing her first NYC title and changing into the primary lady in three many years to win each Boston and NYC in the identical yr. Obiri efficiently defended her Boston title earlier this yr; can she pull off one other double in NYC? The course fits Obiri’s working model, and if it comes all the way down to a detailed end, she will likely be laborious to beat, given her observe velocity.
2022 champion Lokedi additionally returns for her third NYC Marathon, aiming for a second main title after her third-place end final yr and a near-podium end on the Paris Olympics. Ethiopia’s prime contender, Senbere Teferi, has proven distinctive promise within the half-marathon, however has but to translate her 64-minute half-marathon velocity into a formidable marathon outcome. With a private greatest of two:19:21 from Berlin 2023, she’ll be trying to make a breakthrough.
Lastly, all eyes will likely be on the return of three-time Olympic gold medallist Tirunesh Dibaba, who is ready to race her first marathon in six years—and her NYC debut. May the 39-year-old Ethiopian legend make a memorable comeback?
The time to look at on Sunday will likely be Margaret Okayo’s course document of two:22:31, which has stood for 21 years.
There aren’t any Canadian girls within the 2024 NYC Marathon elite area.
Prediction: Hellen Obiri (2:23:34)
Tips on how to watch
The 2024 TCS New York Metropolis Marathon will likely be aired in Canada on TSN5, with protection starting at 8:00 a.m. ET Sunday. It’s also possible to stream the occasion reside on-line through the TSN app or through TSN.ca/reside.
All of the motion for the 2024 TCS New York Metropolis Marathon will likely be dropped at you by Canadian Working and New Stability. Comply with us on Twitter on Instagram for in-depth protection, live-tweeting and up-to-date unique information and content material.
