Reprieve for Team Kenya as serial Ethiopian threats pull out of the New York City Marathon

ATHLETICS Reprieve for Team Kenya as serial Ethiopian threats pull out of the New York City Marathon

Abigael Wafula 20:00 - 20.10.2023

Chances of Team Kenya bagging the top prize at the New York City Marathon have increased after the withdrawal of two Ethiopian stars.

The Kenyan ladies’ team to the New York City Marathon might have an easy time occupying the top spots owing to the withdrawal of senior threats.

The Ethiopian duo of Yalemzerf Yehualaw and Gotytom Gebreslase and Kenyan-born Israeli Lornah Salpeter are among the female athletes who have reportedly withdrawn from the marathon.

Their withdrawal places the Kenyan team in a better place to retain the title in the country. The team comprises reigning Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri, former New York City Marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir, and reigning New York City Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi. Former World Marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei is also in the mix. 

The Kenyan quartet has enjoyed a great season so far and each will be hoping to continue the hot streak in the streets of New York since they all have mastery of the course.

Obiri won her first marathon this year since debuting in the streets of New York. She has enjoyed wins in almost all her races, losing only one race where she finished second.

Lokedi suffered an injury setback earlier this year but she is gearing up to defend her title. Jepchirchir returns to the land of sweet harvests with the hope of reclaiming her title and without much opposition, she might just go back home with the coveted prize.

Yehualaw announced that it has taken more time for her to recover from the World Championships and she was forced to withdraw from the race.

“Unfortunately, the recovery after the World Championships in Budapest took longer than expected.

I just need more rest before running a marathon again that's why I have to withdraw from the New York City Marathon. Thanks for all the support, I'll be back soon,” she said in a statement.

She opened her season with a fifth-place finish at the London Marathon and later also finished fifth at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

On her part, Gebreslase opened her season at the Boston Marathon where she finished 10th and went ahead to finish second at the World Championships. She will be in action at the Valencia Half Marathon on Sunday.

Salpeter has also only raced in two marathons this season, opening her season at the Boston Marathon and finishing third. She then proceeded to the World Championships where she finished fourth.

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