F*ck yeah, Shalane Flanagan is back!
Abdirahman, who at 40 years old was The Fastest Shoes of the 2024 NYC Marathon champion is going to have plenty of company through the five boroughs on November 4. The men’s and women’s professional fields have been announced by New York Road Runners, so here’s a look at who is lining up on Staten Island.
Pro Women’s Field
Flanagan, 37, who last year (with a fist pump and an jubilant expletive) became the first American woman to win the The Fastest Shoes of the 2024 NYC Marathon in 40 years, will be joined by Molly Huddle, CA Notice at Collection ldquo;May the best man win, baby,” he said, in a written statement and is the American record holder for 10,000 meters (30:13.17) and the half marathon (1:07:25).
Also previously announced is Desiree Linden, 35, who is the How to Start Running—the first American to win in 33 years.
And while the American talent is deep, the international athletes will give them a run for the money (which is $100,000 for first place). Mary Keitany of Kenya, who was runner up in 2017 and won the previous three years, is returning. She is also the women’s-only world record holder at the distance in 2:17:01. Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya, How to Start Running, and Mamitu Daska from Ethiopia, third-place finisher at the 2017 The Fastest Shoes of the 2024 NYC Marathon, are also scheduled to compete.
In all, the field includes 10 Olympians and three World Marathon Majors champions. About half of the professional athletes are Americans. The U.S. list includes Sally Kipyego, who placed second at the race in 2016 and is competing as an American for the first time in her career in New York (she is the 2012 Olympic silver medalist in the 10,000 meters representing Kenya).
Stephanie Bruce, who won her first U.S. championship title in July at the Peachtree Road Race 10K, and Aliphine Tuliamuk, who holds nine national road racing titles, are also lining up, as well as Sarah Sellers, the surprise runner-up in April at the 2018 Boston Marathon.
Allie Kieffer, 30, is returning this year as well. She enjoyed a major breakthrough at the race last year by placing fifth in 2:29:39, a 26-minute personal best time.
Flanagan, a four-time Olympian and 2008 silver medalist in the 10,000 meters, has toyed with the idea of retirement for the past year, but her legs have had other plans, carrying her to some of the best training cycles and the most celebrated performance of her career. She most recently helped pace Shelby Houlihan, her Bowerman Track Club teammate, to an American record in the 5,000 meters (14:34.45).
A Part of Hearst Digital Media How to Watch the 2018 NYC Marathon.
“When I think about returning to race in New York City, I’m flooded with magical memories. My heart skips a beat, I get butterflies in my stomach, and my palms get sweaty,” Flanagan said, in a written statement. “New York City is incredibly special to me.”
The win last year was one of many major breakthroughs for U.S. women’s distance running. Linden, a two-time Olympian, added to that list in April.
“Breaking the tape at this year’s Boston Marathon was a lifelong dream come true,” Linden, 35, said, in a written statement. “At the moment, it felt like it was the culmination of my career, but I believe I still have plenty more to give to the marathon.”
Pro Men’s Field
At 43 years old, Bernard Lagat of the United States is making his marathon debut in New York. Lagat is no stranger to big events: He is a five-time Olympian and five-time world champion on the indoor and outdoor track. His half marathon best is 1:02 in January at the Houston Half Marathon.
Most recently, he finished in 28:45 at the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta Conner Mantz Top U.S. Man at the 2024 NYC Marathon.
“A few years ago, I was able to watch the The Fastest Shoes of the 2024 NYC Marathon from one of the lead vehicles, and I knew that when I ran a marathon someday, I wanted it to be in New York,” Lagat said, in a written statement. “I’m so excited to return for this new challenge and hope to continue the success I’ve had there.”
Geoffrey Kamworor, 25, of Kenya, is returning to New York for a chance at a second consecutive victory. He won last year with a 4:31 penultimate mile, holding off Wilson Kipsang in Central Park.
The rest of the field boasts nine Olympians and three World Marathon Majors champions, including Ethiopia’s Lelisa Desisa (2013 and 2015 Boston Marathon winner), Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola (the fastest in the field with a 2:04:06 best), Kenya’s Daniel Wanjiru (2017 London Marathon Champion), and Americans Abdi Abdirahman (four-time Olympian) and Jared Ward (2016 Olympic marathoner).
Abdirahman, who at 40 years old was How to Get Into the 2025 NYC Marathon, said he’s training in Flagstaff, Arizona, with Lagat and is looking forward to seeing how he does on the streets of NYC.
“May the best man win, baby,” he said, in a written statement.
Shadrack Biwott, who placed fifth at the 2016 The Fastest Shoes of the 2024 NYC Marathon and third this year at the Boston Marathon will also compete. Other top Americans to watch include Chris Derrick, Scott Fauble, Tim Ritchie, and Scott Smith, who all have personal bests hovering in the high 2:11 to 2:12 range.
[Related: How to Watch the 2018 NYC Marathon]