London Marathon champion Alexander Munyao has thrown down the gauntlet, warning rivals that he is coming to New York not just to win but to rip apart the course record when he debuts at the Big Apple showdown on November 2.
The current mark in the men’s event stands at 2:04:58, set by Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola during his triumph at the 2023 edition. In an exclusive interview, Munyao fired early warning shots to his rivals, declaring his intent to attack the New York course record. ”I am aiming for the course record in New York. The mark to beat is 2:04, a time I am very much capable of meeting,” Munyao said.
Munyao holds a personal best of 2:03:11, a time set during his second-place finish at the 2023 Valencia Marathon. In that race, he trailed Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma (2:01:48) with Dawit Wolde (2:03:48) in third place.
Munyao has also consistently run faster than the New York course record, dipping under 2:05 in every marathon he has contested except two: Prague 2023 (2:05:09) and the Paris Olympic Marathon (2:10:31). The 28-year-old reiterated his intention of charging for nothing short of a victory in New York.
”My target for New York is to secure victory. It’s something I know I can achieve,” Munyao said.
Despite his confidence, Munyao know the daunting task that awaits him. “The New York course is very tough; it’s not as fast as Chicago or Valencia. However, I feel ready and up to the task to take it on,” he added. He further noted that the stacked men’s field does not scare him.
”Three of the athletes who will be in New York have very fast personal bests, but that does not scare me. On race day, all that matters is my preparations.”
In November, Munyao is set to flex muscles with the defending champion Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands, who claimed last year’s crown in 2:07:39.
Munyao already holds a psychological edge over Nageeye, having edged him out in a dramatic photo finish at April’s London Marathon, both clocking 2:04:20 with Munyao claiming third place and Nageeye fourth. On that day, Sabastian Sawe stormed to victory in 2:02:27, with Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo second in 2:03:37.
Also in the fold is last year’s runners-up, Evans Chebet, who will be hoping to reclaim his New York title, which he last won in 2022 when he cut the tape in 2:08:41. Olympic bronze medallist Benson Kipruto adds more Kenyan firepower to the field. Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta also joins the conversation, hoping for his second Marathon podium after a second-place finish in Tokyo on March 2.
Before New York, Munyao will test his legs at the Great North Run Half Marathon on September 7, a crucial part of his buildup. ”I will be running the Great North Run in September, which I hope to use to gauge my form as well as sharpen up my speed and endurance. It will act as a crucial buildup for New York,” he added.
”The Great North Run also comes at a perfect time because it will be only two months till November. My results there will help me tune up my training.”
Currently, his training regimen is a mixture of both speed and strength. ”My training at the moment is a combination of long runs, hill work, speed work and gym work, which sharpens my speed and endurance,” he said.
by TEDDY MULEI
