Kenya’s Wilson Kipsang will aim to bring the curtain down on a disappointing season on Sunday with a successful defence of his New York Marathon crown through the streets of the Big Apple.
Former world record holder Kipsang began 2015 in buoyant mood after clinching victory in New York 12 months ago but the promise of that win failed to materialise over a frustrating year.
In April he was beaten into second place by compatriot Eliud Kipchoge in the London Marathon and then touched rock bottom in August at the World Championships in Beijing where he was forced to abandon.
“I am well prepared. Last year I didn’t know much about the race, but this year I’ve prepared with the course in mind,” added Kipsang, who has recorded six marathon times under 2hrs 5mins during his career.
Last year Kipsang clinched victory in New York with a relatively modest time of 2hr 10min 59sec, well down on his personal best of 2:03.23, his former world record set in Berlin in 2013.
“I think, when I compare my condition last year and this year, I think this year I feel well prepared. I think I can run faster than last year,” Kipsang told a press conference.
The biggest threat to the 33-year-old Kipsang’s hopes of successfully defending his crown could come in the shape of Ethiopian duo Lelisa Desisa and Yemane Tsegay.
Desisa, 25, finished runner-up behind Kipsang in New York last year and has an impressive record in US marathons, winning the Boston Marathon twice in 2013 and 2015.
Tsegay meanwhile took the silver medal at the world championships in Beijing in August.
Kipsang will also be wary of compatriots Stanley Biwott, who has a best time of under 2hrs 4min, as well as cross-country world champion Geoffrey Kamworor, silver medallist in the 10,000 metres in Beijing behind Britain’s Mo Farah.
In the women’s race meanwhile, Kenya’s Mary Keitany is also back to defend her New York crown.
“I think it’s special to me to come back to New York. New York City is amazing to me,” Keitany said.
“I’ve had no problems. Everything has been going well, and I hope to do well this Sunday,” added Keitany, a two-time winner of the London Marathon in 2011 and 2012.
Keitany’s threats are likely to come from Ethiopia’s Tigist Tufa, who finished ahead of her in London in April and compatriots Helah Kiprop, world championships silver medalist, and Boston Marathon winner Caroline Rotich.