The 2022 TSC New York City Marathon organizers have announced a star-studded list for this year’s edition scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 6.
According to the organizers, Kenya’s Albert Korir is one of the key attractions in the men’s category.
“Defending open division champion Albert Korir of Kenya will headline one of the strongest men’s professional athlete fields in recent history with 13 Olympians and 12 Paralympians at the TSC New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 6,” read a press release from the organizers.
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Korir will be joined by the 2016 Berlin Marathon silver medalist Evans Kiplagat Chebet. The latter has a personal best of 2:03.00 which he set at the 2020 Valencia marathon.
The Kenyan duo will face stiff competition from their Ethiopian rivals. Some of the Ethiopian contingents to New York include former London marathon champion Shura Kitata and Girma Bekele Gebre.
The women’s field is dominated by brilliant Kenyan road runners including the reigning Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir, Hellen Obiri and experienced marathoner Edna Kiplagat.
Jepchirchir will be seeking to defend the title she won last year. During the 2021 edition, she produced a spectacular kick in the final few meters of the race to reach the tape in 2:22.39 ahead of compatriot Viola Cheptoo and Ababel Yeshaneh.
Cheptoo and Yeshaneh crossed the finishing line in 2:22.44 and 2:22.52 respectively.
Kiplagat will also compete in the streets of New York. The 42-year-old won the race in 2010 and is hoping to add another title to her trophy-laden cabinet.
Some of the other high-profile races that Kiplagat has won in her impressive career include the London and Boston marathons.
Obiri, a 2018 Commonwealth Games 5,000m champion is also set to make her debut in New York.
Although Obiri is not one of the favourites going into the race, she is expected to give the top contenders a run for their money owing to her current form.
Newcomer Sharon Lokedi, Caroline Rotich, Grace Kahura and Viola Cheptoo are some of the other Kenyan female runners who will be in contention in New York.
List of Kenyan athletes confirmed for the event
Men
Evans Chebet
Albert Korir
Women
Peres Jepchirchir
Hellen Obiri
Edna Kiplagat
Viola Cheptoo
Sharon Lokedi
Caroline Rotich
Grace Kahura
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