Defending champion Evans Chebet and two-time winner Geoffrey Kamworor have withdrawn from the November 5 New York City Marathon.
The Kenyan pair are among the athletes who have withdrawn, according to organizers, with just over three weeks until the race.
Chebet, who won the Boston Marathon in April, was aiming for back-to-back victories on New York’s streets after winning last year’s race in 2:08:41.
Kamworor finished second in the London Marathon and was eyeing a third title after wins in 2017 and 2019.
In the absence of the duo, the 2021 winner Albert Korir and Edward Cheserek who will be making his marathon debut will fly the Kenyan flag in the men’s race.
Without revealing the reasons behind their withdrawals, organizers also disclosed that the Ethiopian trio of Mosinet Geremew, Gotytom Gebreslase, and Yalemzerf Yehualaw as well as Lonah Chemtai Salpeter of Israel.
At the same time, Olympic medalist and former world champion Tamirat Tola and world bronze medalist Amedework Walelegn – both from Ethiopia – have been added to the men’s field.
The Kenyan field in the women’s race remains with some of the finest marathoners set to clash on US soil.
Defending champion Sharon Lokedi will be joined by former champions Peres Jepchirchir and Edinah Kiplagat.
