A significant event in the sporting calendar is just around the corner, as over 55,000 runners will flood the streets on Sunday morning for the 52nd New York City Marathon, marking the grand finale of the six major world marathons in 2023.
Thousands more will line the route through the city's five boroughs, with the 26.2-mile race concluding in Manhattan's Central Park.
A diverse group of Pakistani runners hailing from Pakistan, the USA, the UK, Canada, UAE, and various other places are gearing up to participate in the New York City Marathon on November 5. These dedicated individuals, including seasoned marathoners and first-timers, are set to take on the challenge of this iconic race, representing a global community of runners with a shared passion for the sport.
The group consists of two accomplished Abbott 6 Star finishers, Hamid Butt and Prem Kumar, who are both embarking on their third NYC Marathon. Aamer Butt, a dedicated participant from New York, is an impressive nine-time NYC Marathon runner, showcasing his enduring commitment to this prestigious event.
Here's the list of Pakistan runners and the number of appearances in the Marathon
Hamid Butt - Lahore - 3rd NYC
Prem Kumar - New York -3rd NYC
Aamer Butt, New York, 9th NYC,
Babar Ghias, Chicago, 3rd NYC
Jamal Khan, New York - 2nd NYC
Fawad Karim - London -1st NYC
Saad Usmani, New York - 3rd NYC
Khadeja Usmani, Boston - 1st NYC
Muhammad Raza, Memphis, 1st NYC
Maeen U din, UAE, 1st NYC
Shabab, USA, 1st NYC
What are the starting times for each division?
Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on the morning of the race, allowing athletes to get a bit more sleep. The race begins with the professional wheelchair division and continues in waves after the professional runners kick-off. The race officially concludes at 8:30 p.m., with sweep buses following at a 15-minute-mile pace after the fifth wave. Here are the specific starting times (all are Eastern):
8 a.m. — Professional wheelchair division
8:22 a.m. — Handcycle category and select athletes with disabilities
8:40 a.m. — Professional women's open division
9:05 a.m. — Professional men's open division
9:10 a.m. — Wave 1
9:45 a.m. — Wave 2
10:20 a.m. — Wave 3
10:55 a.m. — Wave 4
11:30 p.m. — Wave 5
When are athletes likely to finish?
Estimated times for each division: Professional men's wheelchair athletes, 9:30; professional women's wheelchair athletes, 9:40; professional women, 11:05; professional men, 11:15.
Who are some of the elite runners?
The men's field includes Tamirat Tola, an Olympic bronze medalist and former world champion; Amedework Walelegn, the winner of the Seoul marathon; and Albert Korir, the 2021 champion.
The women's field features Sharon Lokedi, the 2022 winner; as well as Hellen Obiri, a Boston Marathon winner; Peres Jepchirchir, the Olympic gold medalist and 2021 NYC champion; Brigid Kosgei, a former holder of the women's marathon world record; Edna Kiplagat, who has won the NYC, Boston, and London marathons; and Olympian Viola Cheptoo.
What is the route?
The route begins near the Verrazano Bridge on Staten Island, and then proceeds north through Brooklyn and Queens. Runners then head west across the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan and north into the Bronx before returning to Manhattan. The finish line is near the West 60s in Central Park.
What is the weather forecast?
Many weekends this autumn have been rainy, and last year's race experienced unseasonably warm weather. So, what can we expect this race day? The forecast predicts an ideal day, with temperatures ranging from the high 40s to the mid-60s.
What has changed this year?
Organizers have added more water and Gatorade at fluid stations along the course following last year's warm temperatures. The race is also continuing to recover from the pandemic, with over 125,000 athletes entering the drawing for the race, an increase from 89,000 last year.
Who were the 2022 NYC Marathon winners?
Kenya's Evans Chebet was the men's winner with a time of 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 41 seconds, 13 seconds ahead of Ethiopia's Shura Kitata. Scott Fauble of Portland was the top American male finisher in ninth place (2:13:35), with Reed Fischer of Boulder, Colo., finishing 10th in 2:15:23.
Kenya's Sharon Lokedi was the women's winner in 2:23:23, seven seconds ahead of Israel's Lonah Chemtai Salpeter. Aliphine Tuliamuk of Santa Fe was the top American woman, finishing 30th in 2:26:18; Emma Bates of Boulder was 31st in 2:26:53.
The men's wheelchair winner was Switzerland's Marcel Hug (1:25:26), with Maryland's Daniel Romanchuk in second. Susannah Scaroni of Champaign, Ill., won the women's wheelchair race (1:42:43). Fabio Faborges of Brazil finished first in the men's handcycle competition (1:35:09), with Wendy Larsen of League City, Texas, winning the women's race (1:37:55).