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NEW YORK: Weeks after winning gold in Paris, Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola will defend his title at the New York City Marathon, hoping to become just the second athlete to win both the Olympic and five-region marathon titles in the same year.
Tola, who set a new course record in New York last year, said he was inspired by Kenyan runner Perez Jepchirchir, who broke the record in Manhattan three years ago after winning in Tokyo.
“I did talk to Perez when I was running in London. She told me that just like she won in the Olympics and in New York, she believed I could do the same,” Tora said through a translator.
Tola’s win on the challenging Paris course earlier this month, breaking the Olympic record, was a stunning performance despite not even being selected for the team initially.
He told reporters that New York’s mountain courses are a perfect fit for him and the 2022 world champion has no concerns about adding the challenging race to his schedule shortly after the Olympics.
“I’m recovering well and I’ve started to do some training. I trust the training that the coach gives me. New York is my favorite stadium,” he said.
Tola is not the only Paris medallist competing in the final Grand Slam of the year, with Kenyan bronze medallist Hellen Obiri set to defend her title on the women’s side.
The pair were among several top competitors announced Tuesday by New York Road Runners organizers.
A talented group of Kenyans highlighted the men’s event, including 2022 champion Evans Chebet, 2021 champion Albert Korir and Geoffrey Kamworor, who finished on the podium in 2019 and 2017.
Their compatriot and 2022 champion Sharon Lokedi will be on the starting line of the women’s race.
Dakotah Lindwurm was the top American female competitor in Paris in 12th place, and she, along with Clayton Young, who was ninth on the men’s side, are the top local prospects.
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