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A Race Like No Other
2009 ING New York City Marathon Women's Preview and Starter List
By Sharon Ekstrom
See Also: Starter List (bottom of page) | Female Athlete Bios
Marathons are impossible to predict, yet the outcome of the women's race seems to heavily favor the fastest woman in the field, world record holder and defending champion Paula Radcliffe (UK). Radcliffe, whose personal best is her 2:15:25 world record set at the 2003 London Marathon, is returning to the marathon distance following a series of fitness setbacks. While Radcliffe is the inarguable favorite, she wil share the stage with other fast female runners including Salina Kosgei (KEN), Lyudmila Petrova (RUS), Yuri Kano (JPN), Christelle Daunay (FRA), Derartu Tulu (ETH) and Magdelena Lewy Boulet (USA) who will be on hand to add competition to the field.
Who is Paula Radcliffe?
At the risk of sounding repetitive, we'll remind readers that Radcliffe is the most incredible female marathoner of all time. This track athlete from England collected accolades early on and set national records on the track and victories at championship events. Next came world records in the 8k, 10k, 15k, 10 miles, 20k, half-marathon, 25k, 30k, 20 mile and the marathon. Her marathon world record of 2:15:25 set at the 2003 London Marathon will remain unrivaled for years to come. And while an Olympic Marathon win eludes her, victories elsewhere do not. After dropping out of the 2004 Athens Games, Radcliffe sought solace at her first 2004 New York City Marathon - winning the race in 2:23:10. She followed that with a victory at the 2005 London Marathon in 2:17:42 (the record for a women's only marathon) and a victory at the 2005 World Championships (2:20:57). Thereafter, she took a break in 2006 to have a baby. Soon after childbirth, she returned to peak racing form with a win at the 2007 New York City Marathon (2:23:09). While she struggled at the 2008 Beijing Olympics finishing 23rd in 2:32:38, Radcliffe returned to the 2008 New York City Marathon and redeemed herself with a victory in 2:23:56. 2009 has been a difficult year for Radcliffe, starting with surgery and continuing with some unsatisfying race finishes and/or withdrawals. The 2009 New York City Marathon will be Radcliffe's opportunity to redeem herself and again prove that she is virtually unbeatable.
Who Else Is At New York?
A race is not a race without competitors. And while Radcliffe may be the strongest in the field, there are other notable women who will take the start. One is 2009 Boston Marathon champion Salina Kosgei whose past as an 800m runner provides her with a great finishing kick in competition. Yet, no one is stronger in a marathon battle than Lyudmila Petrova who at 41 has an amazing marathoning career which includes 7 top 10 finishes at the New York City Marathon, as well as the masters world record with a 2nd place finish of 2:25:43 from the 2008 edition of the race. As the second fastest woman in the field, she is likely to podium. Top Japanese runner Yuri Kano will be running her first marathon in the United States. While the Japanese are known for great distance runners, none have ever won the New York City Marathon. Others to watch are Christelle Daunay whose 2:25:43 at the 2009 Paris Marathon (3rd place) raised her status in the elite racing scene, two-time Olympian medalist Derartu Tulu (ETH) attempting a comeback in the marathon distance and top American in the field Magdelena Lewy Boulet (USA) who was 2nd at the 2008 US Olympic Trials - Women's Marathon. Whether it is a lack of confidence or simple modesty, some top women feel that defeating Radcliffe will be a challenge; but they will certainly try make a fourth victory tough for the three-time champion.
Who's Missing
With the difficulty of putting together deep female fields, it becomes apparent when veteran marathoners are missing from high caliber fields. Former marathon world record holder Catherine 'the great' Ndereba and Olympic Gold medalist Constantina Dita will be running the inaugural Yokohama Women's Marathon (replacing the now defunct Tokyo Women's Marathon - which ended in 2008). Two-time Berlin Marathon winner and recipient of the first World Marathon Majors prize purse, Gete Wami has been absent from elite fields following a lackluster performance at the 2009 London Marathon. Recent withdrawals from the field are 2009 Los Angeles Marathon champion Tatyana Petrova, 2008 Boston Marathon Champion Dire Tune and 2005 and 2006 New York City Marathon champion Jelena Prokopcuka.
| Female Elite Athletes |
| Athlete | Country | Bib | Personal Best | NYC |
| Paula Radcliffe (35) | GBR | 111 | 2:15:25, London, 2003 | History |
| Salina Kosgei (32) | KEN | 112 | 2:23:22, Berlin, 2006 | History |
| Yuri Kano (31) | JPN | 114 | 2:24:27, Tokyo, 2008 | History |
| Christelle Daunay (34) | FRA | 115 | 2:25:43, Paris, 2009 | History |
Tatyana Petrova (26) | RUS | 116 | 2:25:53, Dubai, 2009 | History |
| Derartu Tulu (37) | ETH | 117 | 2:23:30, Helsinki, 2005 | History |
| Magdelena Lewy-Boulet (36) | USA | 118 | 2:30:19, Boston MA, 2008 | History |
| Serkalem Biset Abrha (22) | ETH | 124 | 2:38:37, Hartford, 2008 | History |
| Kim Fawke (34) | GBR | 125 | 2:39:22, London, 2009 | History |
| Meseret Kotu (28) | ETH | 133 | 2:30:26, Amsterdam, 2006 | History |
| Lyudmila Petrova (41) | RUS | 140 | 2:21:29, London, 2006 | History |
Dire Tune (24) | ETH | TBA | 2:24:40, Houston TX, 2008 | History |
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