Stellar women’s field takes aim at New York City Marathon record on Sunday

Sharon Lokedi, of Kenya, wins the women's division of the New York City Marathon on Nov. 6, 2022. The New York City Marathon women’s record, which has stood for 20 years, could go down Sunday with one of the strongest fields assembled in the history of the race. (File/AP )
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Updated 04 November 2023
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Stellar women’s field takes aim at New York City Marathon record on Sunday

  • All will be aiming for the $50,000 bonus if they can beat the NYC event record of 2:22:31 set by Margaret Okayo in 2003
  • The temperatures on Sunday are expected in the high 50s, considerably better for the 50,000 runners expected to start the race

NEW YORK: The New York City Marathon women’s record, which has stood for 20 years, could go down Sunday with one of the strongest fields assembled in the history of the race.

Reigning champion Sharon Lokedi looks to defend her title against a stellar group of female runners that includes Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri, Olympic gold medalist and 2021 New York champion Peres Jepchirchir and former marathon world-record holder Brigid Kosgei.

“It was very life-changing,” Lokedi said of winning last year. “Very excited to be back here again.”

She’ll have some added support from her mother, who flew to New York from Kenya and will be waiting at the finish line in Central Park.

All will be aiming for the $50,000 bonus if they can beat the NYC event record of 2:22:31 set by Margaret Okayo in 2003. Obiri won the Boston Marathon in April, lowering her personal best to 2:21:38.

“The field will be very strong when I’m together with them,” Kosgei said.

Lokedi won in her marathon debut last year, taking the New York laurel wreath crown in 2:23.23. She pulled away in the final two miles of the race, winning in unseasonably warm temperatures in the 70s. It was one of the hottest days in race history since the marathon was moved to November in 1986.

The temperatures on Sunday are expected in the high 50s, considerably better for the 50,000 runners expected to start the race.

“I’m happy it will be cooler,” Lokedi said.

The four Kenyans all have a chance to win the race. There likely won’t be many American runners in contention because the US Olympic marathon trials are three months away. Kellyn Taylor and Molly Huddle are the top US runners in the race, returning after giving birth to daughters in 2022. Huddle finished third at the 2016 NYC Marathon in her debut at the distance.

“We’ve got a really strong group,” Taylor said. “When I look at the people seeded ahead of me, I’m like ‘holy moly.’ Their accolades are light years ahead of mine. But that’s the beauty of New York is that you can put all of that aside and anything can happen on that day.”

The current women’s world record is 2:11:53, set by Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia at the Berlin Marathon in September.

While the men’s field may not have the star power of the women’s side, there’s still a lot of intrigue. Defending champion Evans Chebet and two-time winner Geoffrey Kamworor pulled out of the race a few weeks ago, leaving it more wide open.

World Championship medalists Maru Teferi of Israel and Mosinet Geremew of Ethiopia could win the race, along with 2021 New York Marathon champion Albert Korir. There’s also marathon newcomer Edward Cheserek, who moved to the US in 2010 and won 17 NCAA titles in his college career.

Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola also hopes to improve on his consecutive fourth-place finishes in in 2018-19. He placed third in the 2022 Toyko Marathon and the London Marathon this year. He’s seeking is first major marathon victory.

TICKET TO PARIS

The New York City Marathon serves as the US Paralympic Trials, with up to four wheelchair racers set to become the first athletes across all sports to make the team for the 2024 Paris Games.

The top two Americans in the men’s and women’s NYC Marathon will qualify, provided they also record a minimum qualifying time since last October and are ranked high enough.

Susannah Scaroni has already posted that time and ranking.

“It would mean a lot. So much gratitude,” she said. “Would love to make the team in one of those two slots Sunday. It would be incredible to know I’m going to the Paralympics.”

Daniel Romanchuk is an eight-time major winner, most recently in Boston in 2022. He has consistently been the top American in majors, only surpassed by Swiss Marcel Hug, who has dominated the sport.

EXTRA PROTECTION

The New York Police Department will implement heightened security measures for the marathon.

“As tensions rise around the globe, there is a growing concern over the impact it will have here at home,” said NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban. “There are currently no credible or specific threats to the marathon or to our city. But having said that, we will still implement a comprehensive security plan.”

There have been numerous protests in New York City since the start of the Israel-Hamas war last month.


Meet Formula 1’s biggest rookie intake in years. Some already are targeting the podium

Updated 5 sec ago
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Meet Formula 1’s biggest rookie intake in years. Some already are targeting the podium

  • Antonelli is part of F1’s biggest intake of new drivers in years as top teams put some trust in youth
  • Six of the 20 drivers on the 2025 grid are starting their first full seasons in F1
Andrea Kimi Antonelli once hid in a stack of tires to get through security and into the Formula 1 paddock. Now the 18-year-old Italian is Lewis Hamilton’s successor at Mercedes.
Antonelli is among F1’s biggest intake of new drivers in years as top teams put some trust in youth. Six of the 20 drivers on the 2025 grid are starting their first full seasons in F1. Some could potentially compete for wins. Others already risk losing a hard-won F1 seat.
An unexpectedly talented Formula 2 field last season came at a time when some F1 teams were keen to move on from older drivers like Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. Switching in 2025 gives teams a chance to let youngsters gain experience before the F1 car design rules change radically for 2026.
Here’s a look at the rookie class:
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Stepping into a seven-time champion’s shoes at Mercedes puts the spotlight on Antonelli, who is set to become the third-youngest F1 driver ever. The Italian wants to be known as just “the next Mercedes driver” because of Hamilton’s legacy. The first time Antonelli visited an F1 paddock was age eight in 2014 when his father Marco — who ran a team in a support series — hid him in a stack of tires under an umbrella to get past security and into the German Grand Prix. “That was a really cool experience,” he said last month. Antonelli had a stellar record in junior series and was sixth in F2 last year but a heavy crash in practice for Mercedes at Monza in August was a tough introduction to F1.
Liam Lawson
The Red Bull driver is the odd man out in this list because he’s taken part in 11 F1 races since 2023, though never a full season. He says he’ll feel “more like a rookie” at the start of the season on tracks he hasn’t raced before. Partnering four-time champion Max Verstappen as the replacement for Perez is a daunting task for Lawson, who knocked Verstappen out of qualifying in only his third F1 race in Singapore in 2023. The New Zealander needs to justify Red Bull’s decision to elevate him over his 2024 teammate — and former roommate — Yuki Tsunoda, who outperformed Lawson over their six races together last year.
Oliver Bearman
It’s less than a year since Bearman burst onto the scene in F1 with a combative seventh-place finish for Ferrari in Saudi Arabia while Carlos Sainz Jr. was sidelined because of surgery. He’d never previously raced in Jeddah and was racing with two days’ notice. Bearman beat experienced teammate Nico Hülkenberg in two races for Haas later that year and is now a full-time Haas driver for 2025. Bearman remains part of Ferrari’s junior program but displacing regular Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc is unlikely any time soon.
Jack Doohan
The son of legendary motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan enters 2025 with his F1 career under threat as soon as it has begun. Alpine’s decision to sign ex-Williams driver Franco Colapinto as reserve means a would-be replacement is available if Doohan doesn’t impress team management. “You’re always going to have pressure on your shoulders because you’re in such a cut-throat sport,” Doohan said. The Australian driver placed third in F2 in 2023 but didn’t race at all last year until a surprise entry for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Finishing 15th, he was far off the pace of teammate Pierre Gasly in seventh.
Isack Hadjar
Lawson’s promotion to Red Bull left an opening at its second team, now rebranded Racing Bulls, for F2 runner-up Hadjar. The French driver arrives at a team with a history of changing drivers mid-season if they don’t perform. Even eight-time Grand Prix winner Daniel Ricciardo didn’t last a full year there in 2024.
Gabriel Bortoleto
Despite winning the F2 title last season, beating Hadjar, Antonelli and Bearman, Bortoleto’s arrival in F1 has been overshadowed by his former rivals. That’s partly because his new team Sauber struggled last year and is marking time before a full rebrand as the Audi works team in 2026. With a helmet design paying tribute to three-time champion Ayrton Senna, Bortoleto is F1’s first full-time Brazilian driver since 2017.

Ronaldo, Duran take Al-Nassr into last 8

Updated 11 March 2025
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Ronaldo, Duran take Al-Nassr into last 8

  • Ronaldo, who missed the first leg in Iran, kept his cool and produced a perfect Panenka penalty into the center of the goal to bag his seventh goal of the tournament so far
  • Duran got his second five minutes from the end — found in space on the right side of the penalty area — he fired a low shot into the far corner in emphatic fashion

Al-Nassr booked their AFC Champions League Elite quarter-final place on Monday with a comfortable 3-0 win over Esteghlal of Iran.

After a frustrating first leg ended 0-0 in Tehran a week earlier, Jhon Duran and Cristiano Ronaldo did the damage in Riyadh to dump the visitors out of the tournament.

Duran opened the scoring after just nine minutes in spectacular fashion. The Colombian, signed from Aston Villa in January, found space on the right corner of the penalty area and produced an exquisite lob that the goalkeeper got a hand to but could not prevent crossing the line.

After Sadio Mane was fouled in the area, Ronaldo, who missed the first leg in Iran, kept his cool and produced a perfect Panenka penalty into the center of the goal to bag his seventh goal of the tournament so far. 

What was already a tough task became mission impossible for the Tehran club after they were reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half time. Mehran Ahmadi was shown a second yellow and as he exited the pitch, with a consoling arm of Ronaldo around his shoulders, he took the slim hopes of Esteghlal with him.

It was then a case of damage limitation and Al-Nassr remained in total control of the tie. Five minutes after the restart, Duran fired a fierce shot against the bar from just outside the area.

The Colombian got his second five minutes from the end. He was found in space on the right side of the penalty area and fired a low shot into the far corner in emphatic fashion.

It ended a perfect evening for the Yellows — seeking a first Asian championship — who are the first Saudi Arabian club to make the last eight.

Al-Ahli are expected to join them on Tuesday after winning their first leg 3-1 against Al-Rayyan of Qatar last week. Al-Hilal, however, have much more work to do after losing 1-0 at the Uzbekistan home of Pakhtakor.

Elsewhere, Al-Sadd of Qatar defeated Dubai’s Al-Wasl 3-1 to take the tie 4-2 on aggregate.


KL Rahul: India’s unsung hero and chase-finishing maestro

Updated 10 March 2025
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KL Rahul: India’s unsung hero and chase-finishing maestro

  • Rohit was full of praise for Rahul’s composure at the sharp end of the nerve-shredding chases

DUBAI: KL Rahul was hailed Monday as India’s Champions Trophy unsung hero, having twice kept a cool head under pressure to see his team to victory in tense semifinal and finals.

Captain Rohit Sharma top-scored with 76 to lead India to a four-wicket final win over New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday, following Virat Kohli’s 84 to anchor India’s semifinal chase against Australia.

Both won Player of the Match awards for their respective knocks, but after they had departed it had been No. 6 Rahul, almost under the radar, who had kept calm to guide India across the finish line.

He was unbeaten on 34 in the final as India chased down 252, just a few days after his 42 not out took India past Australia’s 264 in the last four of the 50-over competition.

Rohit was full of praise for Rahul’s composure at the sharp end of the nerve-shredding chases.

“Look, when we discussed KL’s batting position, that is one thing we discussed quite deeply about how calm he is when he is batting,” Rohit said after guiding India to a third Champions Trophy crown.

“I’m very, very happy with how he ... batted in the pressure situation, both in the semifinals and this game.

“With KL being there, we know that he’s got that mind where he keeps himself calm and keeps the dressing room also very calm.”

While Rohit and Kohli grabbed the headlines, a softly spoken and smiling Rahul, 32, was quietly enjoying his first win in an ICC championship.

“ICC victories are not so easy to get and it’s my first one, so I’m over the moon,” Rahul said.

“It’s been a complete team effort, all 11-12 players have stood up and their chance and opportunity has come and it’s one of the biggest reasons why we have ended up winning the tournament.”

An elegant batsman, Rahul started off as an opener for India in white-ball cricket.

But a loss of form and intense media scrutiny forced him to reinvent his batting.

He dropped down to No. 6 recently as he edged out Rishabh Pant behind the stumps.

“What I have been taught by my coaches from an early age is that cricket’s a team game and whatever the team requires of you, you need to be able to do that,” said Rahul, who sports a trademark beard and a man bun on his tattooed, athletic frame.

“It requires a lot of preparation, lot of work outside the field. I just watch and learn from the batsmen I like at four, five, six.”

Rahul started his cricketing journey as a wicketkeeper-batsman but had given up the gloves in domestic cricket.

It was not until an injury to Pant against Australia in 2020 that he again stood behind the stumps.

“I kept wickets in the series, played at No. 5 and performed well,” said Rahul.

“From then on the captain and team management thought I could do that role.”


Liverpool, Madrid and Barcelona looking to complete job as they protect slim leads

Updated 10 March 2025
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Liverpool, Madrid and Barcelona looking to complete job as they protect slim leads

MILAN: Defending champions Real Madrid, Liverpool and Barcelona all have one-goal leads to protect going into the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 this week.

For Madrid there is also city bragging rights at stake as they visit Atletico Madrid on Wednesday with a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, while Liverpool host  Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday knowing they were fortunate to snatch a 1-0 win in France. Barcelona also only have a 1-0 advantage over Benfica, while some other teams are feeling a lot more comfortable — with Bayern Munich having beaten Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 and Arsenal crushing PSV Eindhoven 7-1.

Smash and grab

Liverpool’s players don’t really care how they’re winning — as long as they continue to do so.

Arne Slot’s team had to withstand a barrage of attacks at Parc des Princes before a late goal from Harvey Elliott, who had only just come off the bench, saw it stun PSG.

That was only Liverpool’s second attempt on target compared to a whopping 28 for PSG.

The runaway Premier League leaders had another poor performance on Saturday but still managed to come away with a victory over Southampton.

“It’s just about winning, not how we win. Sometimes you have to win dirty and today was one of them days,” Elliott said after that match. “I think we know that’s what winners do really: When times are hard, what do you do? How can you come up with something to win the game? Luckily this squad is full of them players.”

This week will be decisive for Liverpool’s treble bid as they play Newcastle in the English League Cup final on Sunday.

“I think the best possible way to describe it is four finals, really,” Elliott said. “PSG away, really, really tough game, today was a really tough game, then again on Tuesday another tough game and then the final on the weekend. “So, we just need to make sure that energy-wise we’re still there. We’re still fighting, we’re still hungry to achieve things this season, although it’s a very tough period.”

The loss to Liverpool was PSG’s first defeat since November and halted a run of 10 straight wins for the French team.

Madrid derby

This was supposed to be the year Atletico finally got the best of Real Madrid in the Champions League after losing two finals to their city rivals and being eliminated the other two times they faced off in the knockout rounds.

Going into the first leg, Atletico were ahead of Madrid in the Spanish league and were also undefeated in the past four Madrid derbies.

But they are now on the verge of going out yet again to their neighbors.

Atletico have also slipped behind in La Liga after two late goals saw them  lose 2-1 at Getafe at the weekend, while Madrid managed to grind out a 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was also able to rotate his squad that was further boosted by the return of Jude Bellingham.

The England midfielder had missed three of his team’s last four games through suspension — including the first leg against Atletico.

Treble chances

It’s not just Liverpool who have their eyes on lifting a trio of trophies this season.

Atletico, Real and Barcelona are also in the semifinals of the Spanish Cup and fighting it out at the top of the league table.

Leverkusen are also still involved in two trophies domestically. Although it would need something of a miracle to make up the eight-point deficit they have to Bayern in the Bundesliga as well as overturn a three-goal disadvantage in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Inter Milan, who won the treble in 2010 under Jose Mourinho, are in better shape. They lead  Serie A, will face AC Milan in the Italian Cup semifinals and have a 2-0 advantage over Feyenoord going into Tuesday’s second leg.

Barcelona’s matchup against Benfica also takes place on Tuesday.

Arsenal are not the only English club that should feel confident going into Wednesday. Fellow Premier League side Aston Villa are also at home then and have a 3-1 advantage over Club Brugge.

The matchup between Lille and Borussia Dortmund in France is the only one that is level after they drew 1-1 in the first leg.


‘Not good enough’ and ‘overpaid’: Ratcliffe slams Man Utd flops

Updated 10 March 2025
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‘Not good enough’ and ‘overpaid’: Ratcliffe slams Man Utd flops

  • British billionaire names Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana and Casemiro, Jadon Sancho and Antony as the chief causes of his frustration
  • Jim Ratcliffe: ‘If I actually look at the squad which is available to Ruben (Amorim), I think he is doing a really good job to be honest’

LONDON: Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has blasted some of his troubled club’s stars as “not good enough” and “probably overpaid.”
Ratcliffe has endured a dismal start to his reign at Old Trafford since taking charge of footballing operations in February last year.
The British billionaire named Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana and Casemiro, Jadon Sancho and Antony as the chief causes of his frustration.
Sancho and Antony are currently on loan at Chelsea and Real Betis respectively after underachieving with United.
In reference to United still paying instalments of transfer fees on several out-of-form players, Ratcliffe, who shares ownership of United with the US-based Glazer family, told the BBC: “If you look at the players we are buying this summer, that we didn’t buy, we’re buying Antony, we’re buying Casemiro, we’re buying Onana, we’re buying Hojlund, we’re buying Sancho.
“These are all things from the past, whether we like it or not, we’ve inherited those things and have to sort that out.
“For Sancho, who now plays for Chelsea and we pay half his wages, we’re paying £17 million to buy him in the summer.”
Asked if he was suggesting those players were not good enough for United, Ratcliffe said: “Some are not good enough and some probably are overpaid, but for us to mold the squad that we are fully responsible for, and accountable for, will take time.”
After United finished eighth in the Premier League last season and won the FA Cup, Ratcliffe and his United advisers opted to stick with boss Erik ten Hag despite their poor form for much of the campaign.
The Dutchman was subsequently sacked in October and replaced by Ruben Amorim after United endured another wretched run.
INEOS chairman Ratcliffe has accepted the decision to keep Ten Hag was a mistake.
He applied the same verdict to his decision to hire Dan Ashworth as sporting director, a role he left in December after just five months.
“I agree the Erik ten Tag and Dan Ashworth decisions were errors,” the 72-year-old said.
“I think there were some mitigating circumstances, but ultimately they were errors. I accept that and I apologize for that.”
Despite United’s struggles since Amorim took charge, leaving them 14th in the Premier League, Ratcliffe insisted he would keep faith with the former Sporting Lisbon boss.
“If I actually look at the squad which is available to Ruben, I think he is doing a really good job to be honest,” he said.
“I think Ruben is an outstanding young manager. I really do. He’s an excellent manager and I think he will be there for a long time.”