Evans Chebet is confident of making history by winning back-to-back New York City Marathon titles on Sunday, November 5, 2023.

Chebet will face stiff competition given the world-class runners who have lined up in anticipation of dethroning him as champion.

He won the last edition’s race in 2:08:41, and this came seven months after he was crowned the winner of the Boston Marathon. His win meant that he became the eighth man in history to win both the New York City and Boston marathons, and the first since 2011.

Confident Chebet

Chebet, who defeated Eliud Kipchoge to retain his Boston Marathon title this year, should be boosted by the fact that he has finished first or second in 13 marathons. 

“I feel very confident as I begin my preparations to defend my New York City Marathon title. I understand that nobody has won Boston and New York in back-to-back years since Bill Rodgers in the 1970s, so making history will be my aim,” Chebet told World Athletics.

Geoffrey Kamworor is among the rivals that will compete with Chebet, and the fact that Kamworor is a three-time world half marathon champion and is looking to become only the third athlete to win three New York City Marathon men’s open division titles makes him a formidable challenger.

Kamworor was the winner in 2019 and 2017, and the Kenyan has made the podium in all four of his appearances. 

Rivals

Apart from Kamworor, Maru Teferi of Israel and Mosinet Geremew of Ethiopia will vie for the title against the defending champion. Teferi is a two-time world silver medallist, while Geremew is an Olympic silver medallist.

Other challengers are the Netherlands’ Abdi Nageeya and Albert Korir, who is a former New York City marathon champion; Ethiopia’s Shura Kitata, a two-time winner of the event; Canada’s Cam Levins, who is a North American marathon record holder; and this year’s NYC Half third-place finisher Zouhair Talbi of Morocco. 

On the other hand, Edward Cheserek will make his debut in the 26.2-mile race.

Much of the spotlight will also be on the women’s marathon since world-class runners have confirmed their participation.

Sharon Lokedi, a previous New York City champion; Hellen Obiri, a Boston Marathon winner; Peres Chepchirchir, an Olympic gold medallist and 2021 New York City Marathon champion; and Brigid Kosgei, a marathon world record holder, will feature.

Experienced Edna Kiplagat, a New York City, Boston, London, and World Championships marathon winner, and Viola Cheptoo are returning.

Ethiopia’s Gotytom Gebreslase and Lonah Chemtai Salpeter of Israel will challenge the Kenyan unit. Chemtai is the runner-up of last year’s edition, while Gebreslase is a third-place finisher and two-time World Championship medallist.