It promises to be an unforgettable weekend in New York headlined by Eliud Kipchoge who will complete his Six Star journey. But who are the athletes to look out for on Sunday and who are in contention to be our AbbottWMM Elite Series Champions?
History in the making?
Eliud Kipchoge will face a stiff examination when he takes part in his first TCS New York Marathon on Sunday – his third Major of the year.
The 11-time Major winner will experience the sights and sounds of New York for the first time alongside a cohort of rivals who have already won in the Big Apple.
Last year’s winner Abdi Nageeye is hoping to be the first person since Geoffrey Mutai in 2013 to defend the title. Evans Chebet and Albert Korir, who won in 2021 and 2022 respectively, will join a list of just 10 other runners to win the event more than once if they triumph on Sunday.
World Champion Alphonce Simbu, who came second in Boston, withdrew just days before the race.
Thriller in prospect?
The women’s race could be the highlight of the day with three of the top four finishers from the Olympic marathon lining up in New York.
Sifan Hassan, who snatched gold after a memorable sprint finish in Paris, will arrive in New York in confident mood after blitzing her way to glory in Sydney in August.
However, the three-time Major winner is yet to run New York and will face off against Sharon Lokedi, Hellen Obiri and Sheila Chepkerui who won here in 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively.
Can Romanchuk derail Hug?
Marcel Hug has decimated the field this season, winning five Majors in succession to wrap up the Elite Series with a race to spare.
However, the return of Daniel Romanchuk, who has not raced in a Major since he was involved in an accident during the Sydney marathon, will make things interesting.
The American won in New York last year, completing a US one-two with Susannah Scaroni in the process, and he would love to finish his season on a high in Central Park.
Who will be Elite Series winners?
Tigst Assefa currently leads the women’s series but Hassan, Lokedi or Hellen Obiri can be crowned champion if they win on Sunday.
However, if both finish runner-up or lower, their head-to-head results and a race director vote come into play. It promises to be a day of high drama!
In the men's category, Sabastian Sawe's tally of 50 points cannot be overtaken and the wheelchair titles are also sewn up with the dominate pair of Hug and Scaroni having wrapped up the series with wins in Chicago.
The GOAT secures his legacy
Kipchoge, widely regarded as the greatest marathon runner of all time, will, in his own words, complete his legacy on Sunday.
The 11-time Major winner and only person to run sub 2:00 will line up alongside 435 other runners who will complete their Six Star Journey in New York.
The Kenyan will add the coveted Six Star Medal to his bulging medal collection but could he do something special and make it a fairytale in New York?
World Championships on the line
More than 2,400 runners will battle it out on Sunday to become an AbbottWMM MTT Age Group World Champion.
There are 18 different categories, split across male and female runners, and the calibre of field is high this year.
Of the 11 returning champions from Sydney, Mai Fujisawa is aiming for four wins in succession while César Lizano, a double Olympian, is hoping for a hat-trick of victories.
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Episode 79: Has Eliud Kipchoge Completed Running?
