After The Windy City, it is time to shift to another bustling American metropolis to witness the marathon race. Following the Chicago Marathon, it is time to welcome the marathon through the five boroughs of the Big Apple. Yes, the New York Marathon 2024 it is! With more than 50,000 competitors and a set of customs, the event is all set to garner interest among track and field sports enthusiasts. But there are some special touches. Reportedly, the 2024 TCS New York Marathon has some unique names in the bag that could serve as the cherry on top. 

The names are from both worlds—sports and entertainment will head to New York to compete in the marathon on November 3. But that’s not all. A few who earned big at the Paris Olympics will also enter the race. Interesting! Let’s find out the names that will show up in the Big Apple. 

Which Olympic Champions are participating in the 2024 New York Marathon?

First, it’s time to welcome Gabby Thomas to New York. Reportedly, the five-time Olympic medalist will serve as the Grand Marshal for the New York Marathon 2024. The hosts are already counting big on her being the perfect guest for the Best Day. However, on November 3, Thomas will take part in a lot of programs planned around the marathon. The list includes starting off the race on the Verrazano Bridge and greeting the finishers at Central Park. But whom she would greet first in the illustrious finishing line? Because a lot of Olympians will compete with each other to finish the race early. That crowd will include Tamirat Tola’s name. 

Yes, the defending Olympic men’s marathon champion has officially entered the competition, aiming to defend his title from last year’s New York Marathon. He also carries the weight of maintaining his reputation as a true record chaser. In the Olympics, the Ethiopian broke Samuel Wanjiru’s record with a new time of 2:06:26. Last year, he did it again in the New York Marathon, setting a new record of 2:04:58. As a result, Tola is on a mission to uphold the legacy he has built on the marathon circuit. Meanwhile, Hellen Obiri will enter the women’s marathon with the same goal: to defend her title.

This year, in the Paris Olympics, took the bronze in the women’s marathon. Sifa Hassan left her in the dust to win the gold. But did that result in a blemish on Obiri’s fame? Maybe not. Last year, the Kenyan athlete snagged gold in the New York Marathon (2:27:23). The victory earned her something more than a glittering laurel. Her victory in the New York and Boston Marathons made her the first woman in 34 years to take the wins in the same year. Surprisingly, Obiri has won the Boston Marathon this time as well. So an added effort will be present on November 3 to push her fast in covering the 26.2 mile before anyone else. She has already hinted about her mindset. 

In an interaction, Hellen Obiri has said, “I have been racing very well on the roads in the US and I hope I can have another good day that sees me in contention once we enter the final stages in Central Park.” An alert for her opponent? It might be. However, apart from these two, a horde of celebrities will pose as the competitors in the New York Marathon 2024. 

Randall Park, Jennifer Connelly, and other celebrities who will be part of the 2024 New York Marathon

The marathon race tends to make everyone an average Joe, regardless of their profession or identity. The 26.2-mile course tests everyone using the same scale. Ask Claire Holt. The Vampire Diaries star has been entering the marathon since 2022. In fact, she started with the New York Marathon. This year, she has competed in the Chicago Marathon (3:44:14), promoting the mission of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). On November 3, she will also be there in New York to participate in the marathon. She will be joined by Randall Park. 

In the race, the Fresh Off the Boat star will promote the message of Kulture City. The organization has been working for individuals with special needs. Now, the award-winning star will keep those messages in the New York Marathon 2024. Apart from him, Jennifer Connelly will also enter the race. The Top Gun: Maverick actress will be promoting the message from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The famed institute is the pathbreaker in the research of diseases and creating awareness. On November 3, Connelly will highlight those messages yet again. There will be a few other stars, such as Matt James and Nev Schulman, as the participants. Altogether, the New York Marathon 2024 is going to be a memorable show. Are you excited?