Kenyan marathon runner, Wilson Kipsang. [Photo/iaaf.org]
Former world marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang has been added to the New York City Marathon field slated for November 5.
Kipsang failed to finish at the Berlin marathon held in Germany last month and will be hoping to win in the big apple for the second time after clinching it in 2014.
Earlier this year, Kipsang set a new Tokyo Marathon course record of 2:03:58.
Kipsang previously held the marathon world record of 2:03:23, which he ran at the 2013 Berlin Marathon, until Dennis Kimetto broke it at the same event the following year.
The 2012 London Olympic marathon bronze medalist has run under 2:05 eight times, the most by any runner in history.
“My training was excellent before Berlin but I had a bad day there,” Kipsang said as quoted by the Star. “Now, I am very happy and thankful I was given a chance to use my training effort in New York City, and will try to win there as I did three years ago.”
Peter Ciaccia, president of events for New York Road Runners’ said that he is thrilled to welcome Kipsang to the race.
“An already talented professional athlete field just became stronger, as both Wilson and Buzunesh will challenge for podium positions. It will be great for the millions of fans watching in New York City and around the world to see these two world-class runners take to the five-borough course, particularly Buzunesh, who trains here in the Bronx, the borough where New York Road Runners was founded,” he said as quoted by the paper.