Bekele, Jepchirchir favoured in Sunday’s N/York Marathon

Kenenisa Bekele is looking forward to his New York City Marathon debut and Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir bids to build on her stellar 2021 when the famous five-borough race returns on Sunday.

The second-fastest marathoner of all time with a 2:01:41 personal best, Ethiopia’s Bekele is the only runner in the men’s field with a sub-2:06 performance to his name, but he will have to fend off Olympic silver medallist Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands to reach the top of the podium.

“I will be in (a) good position,” said Bekele, who finished third in Berlin in September. “It’s a new course and a new challenge for me, but I’ll have a good result, I’m sure.” read more

The 39-year-old was drawn to New York with the goal of getting more experience in the United States – this will be only his second U.S. marathon – and to build on a legacy that includes three Olympic gold medals – two in the 10,000 metres and one in the 5,000 – and five World Championship golds.

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“After Berlin I recovered well. My dream will come true to participate in this race,” Bekele said.

Kenyan Jepchirchir, who triumphed in a duel with compatriot Brigid Kosgei to win the Tokyo Olympic marathon, expects a tough race from rivals including American Molly Seidel, who picked up bronze at the Games.

“To have strong people in a competition, it helps a lot to push, run good,” said Jepchirchir, who counts four-times New York champion Mary Keitany as a mentor.

Sally Kipyego, who finished third at the 2020 U.S. Olympic trials, is also among the 13 Tokyo Olympians to feature in Sunday’s race three months after the Games.