When Gwen Jacobson lines up for this year’s TCS New York City Marathon, she does so as the defending Abbott World Marathon Majors MTT Age Group World Champion.
“It feels really special,” she said. “This time it’s not just about competing, it’s about honoring everything that got me here.”
“I burst into tears of relief and joy when I realized my dream had come true," she recalled.
Now she returns to New York, a city that feels like home, with the hope of going back-to-back.
“Defending a title is never easy, especially on a stage as big as this," she said. "With the fans lining the streets and cheering in every borough, there is nothing like the NYC crowd. Their support will fuel me every step of the way.”
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Jacobson knows the New York course inside out, as this will be her sixth time tackling it.
“My favorite part is the Queensboro Bridge,” she said. “After the quiet stretch on the bridge, the roar of the crowd in Queens is electric.”
Being able to focus comes from purpose, she says. “I’ve trained hard, put in the miles, and this is the day I get to put it all together. I stay locked in when I need to, but also take in the magic of the city.”
After earning her first Six Star Medal in Tokyo in 2023, Jacobson set an ambitious goal to complete all six World Marathon Majors in 2025 and place in the top three of her age group.
“I earned the Six Star in Berlin but chose to receive it in New York,” she said. “My life partner Jayde couldn’t be there in Berlin, but he’ll be by my side in New York when I receive my second Six Star medal.”
What are Jacobson's final thoughts on her upcoming challenge?
“Running the NYC Marathon means pushing my limits alongside a sea of inspiring runners, all united by grit and the energy of the city – I can’t wait!”
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