Winners to defend titles at 2014 NYC Marathon

The 2013 winners of the New York City Marathon, Geoffrey Mutai and Priscah Jeptoo, will both be returning for the 2014 race to defend their titles at the world’s largest marathon.

The race, which in recent years has seen over 50,000 finishers, was won in 2011 and 2013 by Mutai of Kenya. Jeptoo won her first victory there in 2013. The 2012 race was cancelled after hurricane Sandy.

Mutai, of Kenya, ran the fastest marathon ever at the 2011 Boston Marathon, racing to a 2:03:02, although it is not recognized as the world record because Boston follows a downhill, point-to-point course. He also holds the New York course record of 2:05:06, which he set in winning the 2011 race. He will look to be only the third man to ever win the race three times, the others being Alberto Salazar and Bill Rodgers, who won on four occasions.

“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,” Mutai said in a press release.

Jeptoo, who finished second in the 2012 Olympic marathon, is looking to join a small group of athletes who have won the New York City Marathon twice. Last year she was over a half-mile behind the leaders at one point before making a move in the second-half of the race, overtaking Buzunesh Deba and Tigist Tufa.

The race, one of the most prestigous in the world, is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 2.