TCS NYC MARATHON

November 5, 2023

Tamirat Tola

Albert Korir

Shura Kitata

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All three men on the podium today have times in the top ten times in history here at the TCS New York City Marathon.

In third place with a time of 2:07:11 from Ethiopia, Shura Kitata.

In second place, the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon Champion, with a time of 2:06:57, Albert Korir of Kenya.

And with a new course record of 2:04:58, from Ethiopia, the champion, Tamirat Tola.

Tamirat, I want to ask you first, a new course record today. You made a move around mile 19. Tell us what was going through your head when you made that move and broke away from the field.

TAMIRAT TOLA: First of all, I am happy to win New York City Marathon for the first time. It's the third time for me to participate, two times No. 4. Now I'm happy.

The course is very difficult, but we start with Albert Korir after 30 kilometers to going in front. So we continue on one pace. That is nice. Everything is nice for my training, my body, everything is okay. So I win. I'm happy.

THE MODERATOR: Albert, there was a pack of five that broke away early. You didn't go with that pack, but yet you end up finishing second. What was your strategy today?

ALBERT KORIR: My strategy was -- I didn't have a strategy, but I would like to have a very high pace in order to -- because I would like to improve my time. But I knew that New York course is tough, but I'm glad I improved my PB.

THE MODERATOR: Shura, two second place finishes and a third place finish here. New York has been good to you. What keeps you coming back to the New York City Marathon?

SHURA KITATA: New York is a great city, and I love it. I'm very, very happy to have been second here twice and then to have been third here now. So the course is also a great course.

THE MODERATOR: Open up the floor for questions for the top three men finishers today.

Q. Hello, Tamirat. Congratulations. Tell us a little bit what it was like to run alone for so many kilometers in the city. How much did the crowd help you to get to Central Park and keep up a high pace. Thank you.

TAMIRAT TOLA: The people of New York is amazing to give me moral support every kilometer. I'm happy for them. Thank you all people. It's a long kilometers to do alone, but I work hard training. So it's confidence for me.

I'm not thinking about a lot. I'm thinking to win. So this is nice. This is nice, but I know the course also, it's difficult after 35K, but it's a challenge to win.

For me before, everything is not okay. Now it is nice. So I'm happy for my company and also for everything. I'm happy.

Q. Albert and Tamirat, why was the 8th mile the time to start pushing? And at what point, if ever, were you thinking about let's go get the course record?

THE MODERATOR: Albert, do you want to take it first? Were you ever going after the course record, and why did you make a move at the eighth mile?

TAMIRAT TOLA: I'm not thinking about the course record, but I think to win, how can I win? To go with my friend, who's helping me, Albert Korir and Jemal Yimer beside me. So I think to win.

But the course record, I'm happy.

ALBERT KORIR: At mile 8 I was seeing that pace is somewhat low, so I tried to push it, and Tamirat come to me. We push it together. But at a certain point, I think the 25K, I ran out of gas. Then they broke away. But I tried to punch it and then came to second place.

Also, I didn't think that I could run a personal best, but at the finish line, I saw I did that. I passed my personal best. That was it.

Q. Tamirat, congratulations. You obviously ran Budapest 2 1/2 months ago, and you said you had a bit of stomach issues around the 37, 38 kilometer. After that race -- it was hot and obviously very tough conditions there -- did you continue training immediately right after, knowing that you would do a fall marathon? And how good does the win feel today in redemption to what happened in Budapest?

TAMIRAT TOLA: I lose World Championship in Budapest because of my stomach disturbed on the race. So after Budapest, in two weeks I go to Great North Run to win half marathon. Then I decided to come to New York. In one month, I think one month something, I did my training. Everything is okay.

In Budapest, also what happened is a stomach problem, but not my condition. Everything is okay. So let us continue to training with my coach to think how can we to win back in New York. Then we did all the training that my coach gives, and success after I lose the Championship, this is good for me.

In Budapest it's hot. Now today feels nice. Not more wind, it is normal. It is good weather, I think, today for me.

THE MODERATOR: All right. Congratulations to the three of you for your finishes today.

Your top three finishers in today's Open Division in the TCS New York City Marathon.

That will do it for us here in the Media Center. Thank you so much. We'll see you next year.