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New York City Marathon Elite Race Preview

  • By Mario Fraioli
  • Published Nov. 3, 2011
  • Updated Nov. 3, 2011 at 9:01 PM UTC
Photo: PhotoRun.net

Photo: PhotoRun.net

Parts of this piece first appeared in the November issue of Competitor Magazine.

Written by: Mario Fraioli

This Sunday, over 45,000 runners will line up on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge for the 41st running of the ING New York City Marathon. The biggest marathon in the world showcases the city that never sleeps, passing through all five boroughs before a grand finish in front of thousands of fans in Central Park.

In this year’s elite races, reigning champion Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia will be back to defend his title, while last year’s women’s winner, Edna Kiplagat of Kenya, was forced to withdraw from this year’s race because of a knee injury.

There will be plenty of firepower in both races, as this year’s Boston Marathon champions, Geoffrey Mutai and Caroline Kilel of Kenya look to add another big-city marathon win to their already impressive racing resumes. The reigning London Marathon champions will be in the mix as well: Emmanuel Mutai of Kenya will contend for victory in the men’s race, while compatriot Mary Keitany should be in the hunt on the women’s side.

Here’s a quick rundown of all the top contenders in both the men’s and women’s races.

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FILED UNDER: Inside The Magazine / New York City Marathon / Race Coverage TAGS: / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Mario Fraioli

Mario Fraioli

Mario Fraioli is a senior editor at Competitor magazine. A cross-country All-American at Stonehill College in 2003, he now coaches the Prado Women's Racing Team in San Diego and was the men's marathon coach for Costa Rica's 2012 Olympic team. His first book, The Official Rock 'n' Roll Guide To Marathon & Half-Marathon Training (VeloPress, 2013) is available in bookstores, running shops and online.