Ethiopian marathoner Tamirat Tola is gearing up to defend his New York City Marathon title, just weeks after clinching gold at the Paris Olympics. Tola now has his sights set on making history by becoming only the second athlete ever to win both the Olympic marathon and the prestigious five-borough race in the same year.
Last year, Tamirat Tola shattered the course record in New York, and this year, he draws inspiration from Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir. Jepchirchir won the New York Marathon in 2021, just months after her Olympic victory in Tokyo. Tola mentioned that during a conversation with Jepchirchir in London, she encouraged him to follow in her footsteps.
“I spoke with Peres when we ran together in London,” Tamirat Tola shared through an interpreter. “She told me that because she won both the Olympics and the New York Marathon, she believes I can achieve the same feat.”
Tamirat Tola’s recent triumph in Paris, where he set a new Olympic record on a challenging course, was nothing short of remarkable. Especially considering he wasn’t initially on the team roster. Now, Tola is confident the hilly New York course, which suits his strengths, will play to his advantage once again.
“I’ve been recovering well and have recently begun light training,” Tamirat Tola said.”I trust my coach’s plan. New York is a course I enjoy.”
Tamirat Tola isn’t the only Olympian set to compete in the year’s final major marathon. Kenyan bronze medalist Hellen Obiri will also defend her title in the women’s race. Both Tola and Obiri are among the top contenders announced by New York Road Runners on Tuesday.
The men’s race will see a strong Kenyan contingent, including 2022 champion Evans Chebet, 2021 winner Albert Korir, and Geoffrey Kamworor, who took the title in 2019 and 2017. On the women’s side, 2022 winner Sharon Lokedi will be on the starting line.
For American fans, Dakotah Lindwurm, who finished as the top American woman in Paris with a 12th-place finish, and Clayton Young, who came in ninth in the men’s race, are the brightest hopes for a home victory.
