The 53rd TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday 3 November brought the six Abbott World Marathon Majors to a thrilling close for 2024. Abdi Nageeye (Netherlands, 2:07:39) and Sheila Chepkirui (Kenya, 2:24:35) took their first New York Marathon titles – Chepkirui on her Big Apple debut.

The elite women's and men's races were won in similar fashion on the notoriously challenging New York course that winds its way through all five historic boroughs. The route is quite undulating, with over 1,000 feet of elevation gain over its 26.2 miles. The biggest hill comes immediately after the start, over the Verrazzano Bridge. There is a long, steady climb just as the marathon gets tough at 23 miles and the final few kilometres in Central Park are twisty.

"This means a lot to me. It means my training has been good. I had to really dig in and it was really hard. I pushed myself to the limit and I am so happy," said Chepkirui, after winning her first Abbott World Marathon Major. Chepkurui, 33, traded blows with defending champion Hellen Obiri (Kenya, 2:24:49) before sprinting clear to win by 14 seconds. Vivian Cheruiyot (Kenya, 2:25:21) was a close third. The leading British athlete was Birchfield Harriers' Lily Partridge (15th, 2:30:55).  

The men's race followed the same pattern as it came down to a sprint won by last year's fourth-placed athlete, Abdi Nageeye, who showed remarkable speed and power in Central Park. The runners-up were Kenyan athletes Evans Chebet (2:07:45) and Albert Korir (2:08:00). Jonny Mellor (14th, 2:11:22) of Liverpool Harriers and Scotland's Callum Hawkins (23rd, 2:15:12) of Kilbarchan AAC led the GB charge.

Tamirat Tola (Ethiopia) – who finished fourth in 2:08:12 – retained his men's course record of 2:04:58 set last year and the women's record of 2:22:31 held by Margaret Oyayo of Kenya since 2003 remains intact despite all the innovations in footwear, nutrition and training in the past 20 years.

You can find out more about the Abbott World Marathon Majors here.

If you are inspired to tackle the TCS New York City Marathon take a look at the Marathon Tours UK travel package and register your interest for 2025 here.

Photo courtesy of Marathon Tours UK website