The professional women's race at the highly anticipated New York Marathon kicked off at 8:35 a.m. on Sunday, showcasing a stellar lineup of elite athletes. Among the standout competitors is Sifan Hassan, a 32-year-old Dutch marathon star, who has recently claimed victory at the Sydney Marathon just two months ago. This marks Hassan's inaugural participation in the New York Marathon, where she aims to achieve a remarkable double victory after her success in Australia.
To secure her place in history, Hassan will need to outpace the last three champions of the event: Sheila Chepkirui from Kenya, the 2024 champion; Hellen Obiri, the 2023 champion; and Sharon Lokedi, who set the Boston Marathon course record in April 2022. Hassan expressed her admiration for the challenging New York Marathon course and the formidable athletes she will be competing against. “I have respect for the course which I haven't done,” she stated. “I have big respect for the athletes going to run with me. I'm not going to say I'm going to win; it's very hard.”
Hassan boasts the fastest personal record among the competitors, having clocked a remarkable 2 hours and 13.44 minutes at the Chicago Marathon in 2023. However, she acknowledges the unique challenges posed by the 26.2-mile course in New York, which features numerous bridges and hills. Reflecting on her previous marathon experiences, Hassan recalled, “I remember last year after Paris it made me so scared of how hard this course is. I wasn't ready last year.” Notably, she shattered the Olympic record in the marathon last year, highlighting her exceptional talent and determination.
This year marks Hassan's first visit to New York City, and she has already planned a special way to celebrate her race finish: indulging in her first slice of New York pizza. The excitement surrounding her participation adds to the vibrant atmosphere of the marathon, which draws runners from around the globe.
In addition to Hassan, the race features top American contenders, including Emily Sisson, the U.S. record holder, and Molly Seidel, an Olympic bronze medalist from Tokyo. It’s worth noting that an American woman has not won the New York Marathon since Shalane Flanagan achieved this feat in 2017. The competition is fierce, and fans are eager to see if this year will break that streak.
As the race unfolds, all eyes will be on these remarkable athletes, particularly Sifan Hassan, as she embarks on this new challenge in the iconic New York Marathon.
