Evans Chebet of Kenya, who won the previous year's race, his first New York City Marathon, with a time of 2:08:41, was expected to return to defend his title.
[7][a] Kenyan runner Edward Cheserek, the most decorated athlete in the history of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), was planning to debut at the marathon distance in this race.
[12][11][b] The previous year's runner-up, Israeli runner Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, was also expected to contest the title.
[13] Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia won the men's race, setting a course record with a time of 2:04:58.
He was trailed by Albert Korir of Kenya, Shura Kitata of Ethiopia, Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands, and Koen Naert of Belgium.