Lagat, Kastor to headline New York Marathon as pundits

Former Kenyan-American long distance runner Bernard Lagat will be part of the broadcast team for next week's New York Marathon, which makes a return after a one-year break following the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The 2012 World Indoor 3000m champion was elated by the opportunity, describing it as an exciting and different experience from his days on the track and road. 

"In 2008, I got to watch the TCS New York City Marathon from a lead vehicle, and in 2018 I ran New York for my debut marathon. I’m excited that in 2021, I get to see the race unfold from yet another angle – in the broadcast booth. I hope my experiences as an athlete can add a different perspective to the race for those watching throughout New York City and across the country," Lagat said. 

He will be joined in the broadcast booth by Deena Kastor, American record holder in the women's marathon and Olympics bronze medalist. 

She described the opportunity to analyse the 50th edition of the road race alongside Lagat as a privilege. 

"Twenty years ago, I fell in love with the marathon distance when I debuted at the New York City Marathon. I feel privileged to commentate on this historic race by joining the ESPN2 broadcast with my fellow Olympians Bernard Lagat and Carrie Tollefson. I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate 50 years of this race," Kastor said. 

Lagat had a colourful career as a Kenyan runner before he switched nationality in 2005, winning the African title in 20002 in Rades, Tunisia as well as the World Indoor 3000m title in 2004 in Budapest, Hungary. 

At the Athens Olympics, he clinched silver in 1500m, finishing second to Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj. 

Kenyan representatives will be hoping to continue their great run in another World Marathon Majors race after dominating in Berlin, Chicago, London and Boston.