Marathon majors set for sprint finish

For the first time, all six world marathon majors are scheduled over a gruelling seven weeks, due to Covid-19 postponements. Many athletes will be running their first marathon since the onset of the pandemic

Bekele 	Kosgei 	Nageeye	Jepchirchir


SEP 26 BERLIN
Expected field: 35,000
Kenenisa Bekele (2:01:41) leads elite men’s field – defending champion ran second fastest marathon of all time here in 2019

Course records
Eliud Kipchoge, KEN, 2018, 2:01:39*
Gladys Cherono, KEN, 2018, 2:18:11


OCT 03 LONDON
Expected field: 50,000
Women’s world record holder Brigid Kosgei (2:14:04) aiming for third successive title – expects challenge from New York winner Joyciline Jepkosgei (2:18:40)

Eliud Kipchoge, KEN, 2019, 2:02:37
Paula Radcliffe, GBR, 2003, 2:15:25
   

OCT 10 CHICAGO
Expected field: 35,000
Home favourites include two-time Olympic medallist Galen Rupp (2:06:07) and Sara Hall (2:20:32), who is aiming to break U.S. women’s record of 2:19:36

Dennis Kimetto, KEN, 2013, 2:03:45
Brigid Kosgei, KEN, 2019, 2:14:04*


OCT 11 BOSTON
Expected field: 20,000
Women’s field includes nine lifetime bests of sub-2:22, including Yebrgual Melese (2:19:36). Asefa Mengstu (2:04:06) leads men’s field

Geoffrey Mutai, KEN, 2011, 2:03:02
Buzunesh Deba, ETH, 2014, 2:19:59
   

OCT 17 TOKYO
Expected field: TBC
Japan state of emergency extended to September 30 to curb rising Covid-19 cases – could impact participation of elite runners

Wilson Kipsang, KEN, 2017, 2:03:58
Lonah Salpeter, ISR, 2020, 2:17:45


NOV 07 NEW YORK
Expected field: 33,000
Olympic women’s champion Peres Jepchirchir (2:17:16) and men’s silver medallist Abdi Nageeye (2:06:17) make New York debuts
   
Geoffrey Mutai, KEN, 2011, 2:05:06
Margaret Okayo, KEN, 2003, 2:22:31
 

*World record


Source: AWMM 
Pictures: Getty Images
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