FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reigning New York City Marathon Champions Geoffrey Mutai
and Priscah Jeptoo Return to Defend Titles
Two-time Defending Champion and Course Record-Holder Mutai
Seeks to Become The First Three-Time Winner of The Men's Race Since 1982
2012 Olympic Silver Medalist Jeptoo Hopes to Join Prestigious Group of
Seven Women Who Have Won Multiple Titles
Race Will be Televised Live Nationally on ESPN2 and in the
New York City Metropolitan area on WABC-TV
New York, August 21, 2014-Reigning New York City Marathon champions
Geoffrey Mutai and Priscah Jeptoo, both of Kenya, will defend their titles
against all-star professional fields at the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon
on Sunday, November 2, 2014, it was announced today by Mary Wittenberg,
president and CEO of New York Road Runners. In last year's race, Mutai
outran the men's field to win by nearly a minute in 2:08:24, and Jeptoo
came from more than a half-mile behind to take the lead in the race's final
three miles and win in a time of 2:25:07.
"With Geoffrey and Priscah headlining the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon,
we welcome back two great champions to the streets of New York City," said
Wittenberg. "Last year, as they led 50,000 runners in the largest marathon
ever, both Geoffrey and Priscah were inspirations to us all. This
November, when they line up in Staten Island to start their journey through
the unique neighborhoods of the City's five boroughs, these world-class
athletes will be chasing history, as Geoffrey goes for a New York hat trick
and Priscah looks to join an elite group of repeat winners."
Mutai, 32, is the course record holder (2:05:06) and two-time defending
champion of the New York City Marathon. He ran the fastest marathon of all
time (2:03:02) to win the 2011 Boston Marathon; however, the course is
ineligible for world records due to its net drop in elevation and
point-to-point layout. In 2012, Mutai, the reigning NYC Half 2014 champion,
captured the 2011-2012 World Major Marathon series title with victories at
three of the six World Marathon Majors races-Boston (2011), New York
(2011), and Berlin (2012).
"I'll be back!" said Mutai. "New York is a very special place for me and
I'm very excited to defend my title and go for a third win at the TCS New
York City Marathon."
A victory for Mutai would make him the third man in history to win three or
more New York City Marathons and the first to do so since Alberto Salazar
won the race from 1980 to 1982. Bill Rogers won four consecutive times,
from 1976 to 1979.
Mutai will join recently announced 2014 Boston Marathon Champion Meb
Keflezighi on the start line on November 2. Mutai can be followed on
Twitter at @GeoffreyMutaiK.
Jeptoo, 30, is the reigning New York City Marathon champion. She clinched
the 2012-2013 World Marathon Majors series title with victories at both the
New York and London Marathons in 2013, a silver-medal performance at the
2012 London Olympic Games Marathon, and a third-place finish at the London
Marathon in 2012. Jeptoo ran the second fastest half marathon of all time
(1:05:45, record ineligible) to win the 2013 Bupa Great North Run over
legendary Ethiopian Olympic gold medalists Meseret Defar and Tirunesh
Dibaba, and boasts a marathon personal best of 2:20:14. After suffering an
injury that caused her to drop out of the 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon
this past spring, Jeptoo is determined to defend her title at the 2014 TCS
New York City Marathon.
"I am very happy to come back to defend my title at the TCS New York City
Marathon early November," said Jeptoo. "I know the field will be extremely
competitive in New York as it is every year, but I will try my best to win
again. I recovered well from my injury in London and hope all will be good
in my preparation from now until November 2."
A win for Jeptoo in New York this year would make her the seventh woman
ever to win two consecutive years in a row (event record-holder Margaret
Okayo won the race in 2001 and 2003). Nine-time champion Grete Waitz and
three-time champion Paula Radcliffe are the only women to have won more
than two titles.
The TCS New York City Marathon will be televised live nationally on ESPN2
and ESPN Deportes+ from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST. For those who have
video subscriptions with affiliated providers, the race will also be
available via WatchESPN. The race will be broadcast live in the New York
City metropolitan area on WABC-TV from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST. Viewers
can also watch the race on 7online or via WatchABC on mobile devices (for
participating cable providers). Pre-race features from the start at Fort
Wadsworth will be broadcast live at 7:00 a.m. on WABC-TV, 7online.com, and
WatchABC, and a national highlights show will air from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on
local ABC affiliates. International viewers can watch the broadcast via a
live digital stream from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST on 7online.com or via a
variety of global broadcast partners (international viewers should check
local listings).
Last year, 50,266 runners crossed the finish line of the New York City
Marathon, making it the world's largest marathon ever. Runners from more
than 100 countries and each of the 50 states participated.
About the TCS New York City Marathon
The TCS New York City Marathon is the most popular and inclusive marathon
in the world, attracting the world's top professional athletes and a vast
range of recreational runners. The race began in 1970 with just 127
entrants racing four laps of Central Park. Today, an estimated 50,000
runners from around the world tour New York City's five boroughs, starting
on Staten Island at the foot of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and finishing
in Central Park. Participants include Olympians, Paralympians, wheelchair
racers, top age-group competitors, and many thousands who run for charity
and to achieve their own personal goals. Millions of fans cheer the runners
from the streets and watch the global television broadcast. The race is
part of the World Marathon Majors, an alliance of the world's six biggest
marathons that determines each year's top male and top female marathoner.
The TCS New York City Marathon is the premier event of New York Road
Runners, the world's foremost community running organization, whose mission
is to help and inspire people through running. Tata Consultancy Services, a
leading global IT services, consulting, and business solutions
organization, is the Premier Partner of NYRR and is in its inaugural year
as title sponsor of the TCS New York City Marathon.
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