Mary Keitany wins the New York City Marathon (© Getty Images)
Defending champion Mary Keitany will return to the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, 5 November to go for a fourth consecutive victory at this IAAF Gold Label Road Race, organisers announced today.
Keitany, 35, of Kenya, is a two-time winner of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, taking the series titles in 2012 and 2016. This year, she has already won her third career Virgin Money London Marathon in April, breaking the women’s only marathon record in a blistering time of 2:17:01.
Keitany has won the TCS New York City Marathon each of the last three years, including a dominating performance last year in which she surged ahead at the 14th mile to finish the course on a solo run in 2:24:26. Her 3:34 margin of victory was the greatest in the women’s race since 1980, and she became the first able-bodied runner since Grete Waitz to win the event three years in a row.
“Another top finish for Mary would give her the second most titles in the event after Grete Waitz," said Peter Ciaccia, president of events for New York Road Runners and race director of the TCS New York City Marathon.
“I’m so excited to return to New York to race for my fourth consecutive title,” Keitany said. “Being among the all-time leaders in New York City is truly an honour, and while it will not be easy to defend my title, surpassing a legendary runner like Paula Radcliffe for the second-most victories by a woman in the event would be incredible.”
Organisers for the IAAF
