NEW YORK (AP) — The New York City Marathon will take place Sunday, with more than 50,000 runners from more than 150 countries expected to start the race. The winners of the men’s and women’s divisions will each take home $100,000.

Here’s a guide to the New York City Marathon, which starts in Staten Island and ends in Central Park.

Who is in the NYC Marathon elite peloton?

The field for the marathon is full, with defending champions Tamirat Tola and Hellen Obiri leading the way. They aim to become the first repeat winners in almost a decade. Tola set the course record last year. He is trying to become the first male runner to win both an Olympic gold medal and the New York City Marathon in the same year. Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya accomplished this feat on the women’s side in 2021.

To defend his title on his favorite course, he will have to beat an all-star field including past winners Geoffrey Kamworor (2017, 2019), Albert Korir (2021) and Evans Chebet (2022), all from Kenya.

Obiri will have to beat his own loaded platoon to repeat. Other former champions in Sunday’s race include Sharon Lokedi (2022) and Edna Kiplagat (2010), both Kenyans. American stars Dakotah Popehn and Jenny Simpson are also in the running.

How to monitor and follow runners during races?

New York Road Runners has an app which can be downloaded to follow runners and stay up to date with events. There is also live results available. The marathon will air at 8 a.m. ET on ESPN2.

What is the route of the New York marathon?

The 26.2-mile course takes runners through New York’s five boroughs, starting in Staten Island and ending in Central Park. This is the 48th year the race has been held in all five boroughs. Before that, the course took place entirely in Central Park when it began in 1970. The first race had only 55 participants while last year more than 50,000 people completed the event.

When does the marathon start?

Professional wheelchair racing begins at 8 a.m. ET, with the women’s professional division starting 35 minutes later. The men’s professional race begins at 9:05 a.m., when the temperature is expected to be around 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Next come five waves of runners, with the last wave starting at 11:30 a.m. The official deadline to complete the race is 10:00 p.m.

___

AP Sports: