The world saw the streets of New York City come alive on November 3. The NYC tradition reached new heights this year, especially in the pro races. One of the biggest moments of the marathon came when Abdi Nageeye and Sheila Chepkirui went on to win gold. Nageeye went on to finish in 2 hours, 7 minutes, and 39 seconds. Meanwhile, Chepkirui clocked 2:24.35. The win was so surreal that Nageeye post-race even went on to say, “At the finish, I was like, ‘Am I dreaming? I won New York.’” But it was not just him that found the marathon surreal!

There was another athlete who went on to praise the marathon. Someone who understands the pressures of the Olympics and the training demands of marathons. The athlete was none other than Gabby Thomas. Thomas was at the finish line. Gabby got super excited and was beaming as Chepkirui crossed the finish line! However, this race was far from easy. It was only in the last 400m that Chepkirui really pushed her to win. But that’s not all!

Gabby Thomas even took it to X and wrote, “I’ve said it ten times, and I’ll say it again… these marathon runners are absolutely incredible.” These were not just praises for Sheila Chepkirui. But also for Abdi Nageeye! Gabby Thomas, after all, understands better than anyone what it is like to have one chance and have it not go your way. Such is the story of Nageeye at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The world saw Nageeye at the start line, but he was not at the finish line. The board showed Nageeye as DNF. When the race had hit the 20k mark, he collided with Alexander Mutiso. Despite trying his best, when it reached the 35k mark, Nageeye’s legs gave up. Coming from that to a gold win at the NYC marathon is not so bad after all! While Abdi Nageeye and Sheila Chepkirui won the pro races, there were other races and other winners, too. Let’s take a look at the, as Gabby Thomas calls it, “absolutely incredible” athletes!

Other stars of the 2024 NYC Marathon

One of the major pro races apart from the Nageeye and Chepkirui ones was the Pro Wheelchair races. There were interesting races here, too! On the men’s side, Daniel Romanchuk went on to win gold. Daniel has had a year to remember. The journey that started with a Paris Paralympic gold has ended with yet another gold. This time clocking 1:36:31. The race was, however, close. The second place was won by David Weir, who was just 5 seconds behind! The women’s side saw an equally exciting race.

On the women’s wheelchair races, the silver medalist at the Paris Paralympics in the 5000 m T54 leveled up. She went on to clock 1:48:05 and win gold. Meanwhile, the silver was won by Tatyana McFadden, clocking 1:58:47. Almost a 10-minute gap! Talk about redemption! Meanwhile, the Conner Mantz and Clayton Young duo, which has a knack for finishing marathons side by side, did the same yet again!

Mantz went on to clock 2:09:00, finishing sixth. Meanwhile, Young was just 21 seconds behind and finished seventh. It’s almost like a déjà vu, isn’t it? Remember Chicago? In Chicago, it was pretty similar, with Mantz in sixth position with 2:07:50 and Young right behind him with 2:08:00. They even went 1-2 at the Olympic Marathon Trials! They landed back-to-back in eighth and ninth place at the Olympics. Eerie, isn’t it? But special nonetheless. Meanwhile, there was another American long-distance runner in the mix!

It was none other than CJ Albertson! He went on to cross the line 10th, clocking 2:10:57. A major fall from his marathon three weeks ago in Chicago. In Chicago, he set his personal record of 2:08:17 and was the top American finisher. He also led the U.S. pack in April at the Boston Marathon and came close to a podium spot at the Olympic Trials. But unfortunately, he finished fifth. At the end of it all, the NYC marathon was all about keeping the competition close and exciting. But also embracing the NYC tradition in style!