World Marathon Majors Showdown in NYC

Published by Toni Reavis on October 29, 2013

 There is even more on the line than usual at this year’s ING New York City Marathon.  From the city and New York Road Runner’srecovery efforts after last year devastation and race cancellation due to Hurricane Sandy, to the million-dollar payoff in the World Marathon Majors championship, there are stories of striving and overcoming that will make for a dramatic and emotional Sunday morning November 3^rd.   Be sure to watch it live 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2, and from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. ET on WABC. It also will be streamed online at WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app. A two-hour highlights show will air on ABC later in the day.

My focus will be on the men’s race as I will call that competition from the lead TV moto.  It’s the first time since 2006 that I will be out on the course rather than at the finish line anchor location.  It’s a great perch, and offers by far the best view of the action.

Two stories dominate the 2013 New York men’s competition.  The question is, how, or whether they will intersect?

First, the 2012-2013 World Marathon Majors cycle comes to its conclusion with two men still in the hunt for the $500,000 first-place prize.  Reigning World and Olympic Marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda arrives in third place with 50 points, 15 points behind series leaderTsegay Kebede of Ethiopia, the 2012 Chicago and 2013 London Marathon champion.  Berlin Marathon champion and new world record holder Wilson Kipsang holds second place in the standings with 61 points, but is finished for the year. That leaves Kebede and Kiprotich to decide the issue on the streets of New York.