The women’s race: Six runners to watch at the New York City Marathon

On tap this Sunday is the TCS New York City Marathon with defending champion Mary Keitany aiming to repeat as the women’s champion. Here’s what you need to know ahead of Sunday’s elite women’s race.

Course record: 2:22:31 – Margaret Okayo (2003)

Start time: 9:20 a.m. EST

The champ is back

Keitany, with a personal best of 2:18:37, is back and looking to repeat as champion. The 33-year-old mother of two shows no signs of slowing down and is the second fastest female marathoner in history. She also has the advantage of not racing at the IAAF World Championships in August.

Who could crash the party?

The 2015 field is deep and fast, which could ruin Keitany’s chances at a repeat. Aselefech Mergia and Buzunesh Deba, both with lifetime bests below 2:20:00 could challenge for the win along with nine other women with times between 2:20:00 and 2:30:00

A potential dark horse? Sally Kipyego, who will make her marathon debut this weekend. Kipyego won nine NCAA titles during her college days and was the 2014 NYC Half winner.

Top Canadian getting better with age 

Canada’s top female entrant is 49-year-old Paula Keating, a masters athlete and doctor from New Brunswick. A holder of a handful of N.B. masters records, Keating was the top Canadian at the 2014 NYC Marathon and has a lifetime best of 2:47:26. Sunday will be her fourth time running NYC.

Keating is just two weeks removed from competing at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon but will be looking to improve on her 2:57:38 time from Oct. 18.

“I didn’t run the race I had hoped for in Toronto but after four days off, a few easy runs and my usual race taper, I feel fine heading into this weekend,” said Keating via email. “The weather is looking favourable so I hope to run well and place high in my age group. New York has always treated me well and holds a special place in my heart. The whole race day experience is incomparable.”

A college freshman could be the top American

Eighteen-year-old Alana Hadley is the top entrant for the United States with a lifetime best of 2:38:34. She is paying for much of her college expenses at the University of North Carolina – Charlotte with money won from race prizes. Hadley was just 16 when she went pro according to ESPN.

Women’s elite start list

Mary Keitany (KEN) 2:18:37
Aselefech Mergia (ETH) 2:19:31
Buzunesh Deba (ETH) 2:19:59
Priscah Jeptoo (KEN) 2:20:14
Tigist Tufa (ETH) 2:21:52
Jelena Prokopcuka (LAT) 2:22:56
Caroline Rotich (KEN) 2:23:22
Christelle Daunay (FRA) 2:24:22
Sara Moreira (POR) 2:24:49
Ana Dulce Felix (POR) 2:25:15
Anna Incerti (ITA) 2:25:32
Changqin Ding (CHN) 2:26:54
Marisol Romero (MEX) 2:31:15