Olympic Marathoners Charge Through First New York City Marathon Since 2019
Elite Runners, Thousands of Everyday Athletes Return to Five-Borough Course
NYC Marathon 2023: Everything You Need to Know
Just 12 weeks after the Olympic marathon, the world's top marathoners are back in action for the 51st running of the TCS New York City Marathon.
The race, the largest marathon in the world with 50,000 runners, will take place on Sunday, November 6. The course will wind through all five boroughs of New York City, starting in Staten Island and finishing in Central Park.
The elite fields are stacked with talent, including Olympic medalists Peres Jepchirchir, Brigid Kosgei, and Galen Rupp.
But the New York City Marathon is not just for the elite runners. Thousands of everyday athletes also take part in the race, making it a true celebration of running.
A Return to Normalcy
This year's marathon is the first to be held at full capacity since 2019. The 2020 race was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2021 race was held at a reduced capacity.
The return of the full-capacity marathon is a sign that the city is returning to normal after the pandemic.
“It's great to be back to a full-scale marathon,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “This is a day for New York City to come together and celebrate the power of the human spirit.”
The Course
The New York City Marathon course is one of the most challenging in the world.
The race starts on Staten Island and then crosses the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge into Brooklyn. From there, the course winds through Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan before finishing in Central Park.
The course includes several challenging hills, including the Queensboro Bridge and Heartbreak Hill in the Bronx.
The Elite Field
The elite fields for the 2023 New York City Marathon are stacked with talent.
The women's field is led by Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya, the reigning Olympic champion.
Brigid Kosgei of Kenya, the world record holder in the marathon, is also running.
The men's field is led by Galen Rupp of the United States, the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist.
Other top contenders include Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia, the world record holder in the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters, and Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda, the world record holder in the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters.
The Everyday Athletes
The New York City Marathon is not just for the elite runners. Thousands of everyday athletes also take part in the race.
For many, the marathon is a personal challenge. It's a chance to test their limits and see what they're capable of.
For others, the marathon is a way to raise money for charity. Many runners use the marathon to raise money for causes close to their hearts.
The Finish Line
The finish line of the New York City Marathon is located in Central Park.
Crossing the finish line is a moment of triumph for all runners, whether they're elite athletes or everyday people.
It's a moment to celebrate all the hard work and dedication that went into preparing for the race.
