The highly-anticipated ING New York City Marathon will get underway on Sunday morning and may be one of the best shows around.
Naturally we are most interested in watching the large group of Rogues who are headed up that way, but the elite field is sure to deliver performances that no one should miss!
The female side includes:
Paula Radcliffe (Great Britain), the World Record holder (2:15:25) and a three-time New York winner
Salina Kosgei (Kenya), the Boston champion
Yuri Kano (Japan), intent on becoming Japan’s first NYC champion
Joan Benoit Samuelson (USA), a former World Record holder who ran the US Olympic Trials at age 50
Desiree Ficker (USA), Austin’s own Olympian triathlete, who shifted her 2009 focus to the marathon
You can be awestruck by the other elite female entrants here
The men’s side includes what may be the most impressive field in history:
Five entrants have run under 2:06:17 or faster: James Kwambai (Kenya, 2:04:27), Jaouad Gharib (Morocco, 2;05:27), Patrick Makau (Kenya, 2:06:14) and Ryan Hall (USA, 2:06:17)
Hendrick Ramaala (South Africa), former NYC Champion and four-time Olympian
Marilson Gomes dos Santos (Brazil), defending NYC Champion
Meb Keflezighi (USA), former Olympic silver medalist
Those of us who can’t be there can watch the leaders and try to spot fellow Rogues from home, as the marathon will be live on the web via http://www.universalsports.com on Sunday morning and will also air on NBC at 1pm.
