by Deji Ogeyingbo
Abdi Nageeye Seeks Repeat Glory as Sifan Hassan Leads Star-Packed NYC Marathon Field
When the gun goes off Sunday morning on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the New York City Marathon will once again turn the five boroughs into a stage for endurance, tactics, and pride. Now in its 54th edition, the race has drawn a field that blends the familiar and the unexpected. From Abdi Nageeye’s title defense to Sifan Hassan’s bid to confirm her dominance, the day promises a blend of storylines that should keep even the casual fan glued to the coverage.
The conditions couldn’t be better. Forecasts point to cool temperatures in the low 40s at the start, climbing to the mid-50s by midday, and the city’s usual mild winds. Runners won’t find excuses in the weather, though they’ll need to respect a course that’s long enough to make pace-chasers look ordinary. New York’s bridges, rolling streets, and sharp turns make it the slowest of the World Marathon Majors, but also one of the most strategic. Here, it’s rhythm, patience, and nerve that often decide who breaks the tape in Central Park.
Nageeye Returns, but the Field Is Hungry
Defending champion Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands enters this year’s race without much ado. His 2024 season was uneven; he won in New York and Rotterdam but finished only fourth in London and hasn’t raced since spring. Yet Nageeye thrives in chaos, and New York’s unpredictable rhythm suits him. He’s not the fastest man on paper, but his ability to stay composed while others falter has made him one of the sport’s most dependable racers.
Among his toughest challengers is Alexander Mutiso Munyao, the 2024 London Marathon winner, who owns a 2:03:11 personal best and a recent half-marathon victory in 1:00:52. His smooth stride and willingness to surge could force Nageeye into early decisions. The question is whether Mutiso’s strength on flat courses translates to the city’s undulating layout.
Benson Kipruto, the Olympic bronze medalist and 2021 Boston winner, brings a proven pedigree but has been inconsistent in recent form. A seventh-place finish in Tokyo and third in Bogotá hint at uncertainty, yet his marathon record is too strong to overlook. Abel Kipchumba, known for his back-to-back NYC Half victories, has the kind of raw speed, 58:07 for the half-marathon, that suggests a breakthrough could come if he finally pieces the distance together. And then there’s Albert Korir, the 2021 champion, who seems to have a permanent residence near the top of the leaderboard. He has finished second and third in his last two appearances and knows every corner of this course.
The Masters Duel: Kipchoge vs. Bekele
No matchup this weekend carries more nostalgia than the one between Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele. Between them, they hold more Olympic medals, world records, and global titles than any other pair in marathon history. At 41, Kipchoge returns to chase the one Major he has yet to conquer, though recent results suggest the race may no longer bend to his will. A ninth-place finish in Sydney and a sixth in London raised questions about how much he has left.
Bekele, 43, remains the sport’s ultimate riddle, capable of brilliance one season and absence the next. His 2:04:15 master’s world record in Paris last spring reminded fans that even in his forties, he can summon something special. Kipchoge leads their marathon rivalry 4–1, though Bekele owns the lifetime edge across all distances. Whether either man contends for the win matters less than seeing them side by side in Central Park, two of the greatest ever, chasing the same finish line for perhaps the final time.
Hassan, Lokedi, and Obiri Lead a Stacked Women’s Field
The women’s race might be the most intriguing in years. Sifan Hassan, who already owns wins in Chicago, London, and Sydney, returns on a nine-week turnaround after her Sydney triumph. The Dutch star has shown an unmatched ability to manage heavy racing schedules, highlighted by her triple-medal heroics in Paris. She has won four of her six career marathons and, despite her busy year, appears the athlete most likely to control the race once the climbs start taking their toll.
Sharon Lokedi, the 2022 champion, has become one of the sport’s most consistent marathoners. Her Boston victory this spring, complete with a dramatic finish over Hellen Obiri and a five-minute personal best, cemented her reputation as a closer. Her 65:00 half-marathon in Copenhagen this fall suggests she’s primed for another run at the crown.
April 21, 2025
Boston, Massachusetts, USA, photo by Kevin Morris
Obiri, meanwhile, returns with unfinished business. The 2023 New York champion has been nearly flawless since moving to the roads, finishing on the podium in every major she’s entered. Her rivalry with Lokedi adds another layer to Sunday’s drama, as the pair renew their duel over 26.2 miles.
Defending champion Sheila Chepkirui and Ethiopia’s Gotytom Gebreslase add depth to a field loaded with past winners. And behind them, veterans Vivian Cheruiyot and Edna Kiplagat will square off in a rematch of their 2024 battle, offering a master class in longevity and grace.
