Wilson Kipsang celebrates his victory at the New York Marathon (© Getty Images)
Organisers of the TCS New York City Marathon have added Wilson Kipsang and Buzunesh Deba to the elite field for the IAAF Gold Label road race on 5 November.
Kipsang and Deba will toe the line with defending champions Ghirmay Ghebreslassie of Eritrea and Mary Keitany of Kenya, along with leading US runners Meb Keflezighi and Shalane Flanagan.
Kispang won the New York City Marathon in 2014 in 2:10:59 and went on to claim the World Marathon Majors title that year. Earlier this year, 35-year-old Kenyan set a course record of 2:03:58 when winning the Tokyo Marathon.
At the 2013 Berlin Marathon, Kipsang set a world record of 2:03:23, which stood as a record for one year. The 2012 Olympic bronze medallist has run faster than 2:05 eight times, more than any other runner in history.
“My training was excellent before Berlin, but I had a bad day there,” said Kipsang, who dropped out at 30km in the German capital last month. “Now, I am very happy and thankful I was given a chance to use my training effort in New York City, and will try to win there as I did three years ago.”
Deba trains in the Bronx and was the New York City Marathon runner-up in 2011 and 2013. The 30-year-old Ethiopian won the Boston Marathon in 2014, setting a course record of 2:19:59.
“I love racing in New York because New York is my city,” said Deba. “I will do my very best at the TCS New York City Marathon; not just for myself, but also for the people of the Bronx where I live. I know they will be cheering for me from everywhere. If I don't win this year, I believe in myself; I will win the TCS New York City Marathon one day.”
“We are thrilled to welcome back Wilson and Buzunesh to the TCS New York City Marathon, where they have both had great success before,” said Peter Ciaccia, president of events for New York Road Runners and race director of the TCS New York City Marathon. “An already talented professional athlete field just became stronger, as both Wilson and Buzunesh will challenge for podium positions.”
Organisers for the IAAF
