As the New York City Marathon approaches on Sunday, 5 November, the spotlight is firmly fixed on the indomitable Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya.
With a seamless transition from half-marathon dominance to asserting herself as a formidable presence in the full 42.195 km, Jepchirchir stands as the front-runner in this year’s race.
Her illustrious career includes three individual golds at the World Half Marathon Championships, and in 2021 alone, she clinched the Olympic marathon and Boston Marathon titles, a feat unmatched by any other athlete. Despite an injury sidelining her in 2022, Jepchirchir’s triumphant return in 2023 with a third-place finish in London signals her intent to reaffirm her position as one of the world’s finest marathoners.
Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia is another athlete who commands attention. Holding world records in both the 10,000m and half marathon, Gidey’s track record is nothing short of stellar. Her debut marathon in Valencia in 2022 left spectators breathless as she crossed the line in 2:16:49, at the time the fastest women’s marathon time ever recorded.
Although Gidey faltered in the final kilometers, the glimpse of her potential greatness was unmistakable. With the current women’s marathon world record standing at a staggering 2:11:53, the tantalizing question arises: Can Gidey, along with the other elite women at the forefront, push the boundaries even further on the storied streets of New York?
Hellen Obiri, also hailing from Kenya, returns for her second New York City Marathon appearance. Despite finishing sixth in her debut in 2022, Obiri has since triumphed in the fiercely competitive 2023 Boston Marathon.
Her track record boasts two Olympic silver medals and a gleaming collection of World Championship accolades.
An athlete with deep experience at the highest levels of competition, Obiri emerges as one of the favorites once again in this year’s race. The question that looms is whether she will conquer the iconic streets of New York and etch her name in marathon history alongside the likes of Jepchirchir and Gidey.
The stage is set for a monumental clash of titans, with Jepchirchir, Gidey, and Obiri leading the charge. Each woman brings her own unique narrative and a burning desire to make history in the New York City Marathon. The world eagerly awaits to witness who among these exceptional athletes will etch their name in the annals of marathon greatness on the streets of the Big Apple.
Photo Caption: The world eagerly awaits to witness who among Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir, Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey and Hellen Obiri of Kenya will etch their name in the annals of marathon greatness on the streets of the Big Apple on Sunday, 5 November, 2023. Photo: Peres Jepchirchir on Instagram