Omulo Okoth in New York, USA

With the withdrawal of three top Kenyan runners from the elite field of the New York City Marathon to be run on Sunday, the burden seemed to rest on veteran Robert Cheruiyot and youngster James Kwambai.

Martin Lel, who won the race in 2003 and 2007, was the latest to pull out after half-marathon specialist, Patrick Makau, and 2005 winner and former world marathon record holder, Paul Tergat, both withdrew citing injuries.

That was not very good news to the organis ers of the marathon, whose sponsors, a Dutch financial services company, ING, has just announced a three-year extension, and which prides in attracting the top-cream in road running, only rivaled by Boston and London.

Salina Kosgei (left) and Robert ‘Mwafrika’ Cheruiyot aka Omar Ahmed carry Kenya’s hopes in New York Marathon on Sunday. Photos:File/Standard

They would have cherished a last burst sprint like what Tergat and South Africa’s Hendrick Ramaala staged in 2005.

Cheruiyot, aka Omar Ahmed, who won Boston four times, seems the best bet even though Kwambai, fifth in New York City Marathon in 2007 (2:12:25), second in Boston in 2007 (2:14:33) and who lost in Rotterdam Marathon by less than one second to compatriot Duncan Kibet (2:04:27) cannot be ignored.

Ramaala, the winner in 2004, second in 2005 and third in 2007, with a personal best of 2:06:55 in London in 2006, is back. But so is Brazilian title holder Marilson Gomes dos Santos, gunning for his third title after a surprise win in 2006.

Morocco’s Beijing Olympics silver medalist, Joaouad Gharib is another credible challenger while the American hopes will be carried by Ryan Hall (10th in Beijing and third in Boston this year), 2004 Olympics silver medalist, Meb Keflezighi and three-time Olympian, Abdi Abdirahman.

Salina Kosgei, who beat Ethiopia’s Dire Tune on the way to clinching Boston Marathon this year, is among the women’s favourites, although the Ethiopian and her compatriot, former two-time Olympic winner, Derartu Tulu and world record holder and defending champion, Paula Radcliffe, are in the star-studded field.

Race director Mary Wittenberg was particularly excited about Radcliffe’s last-minuite confirmation.

"It’s a big deal," Wittenberg said. "We’re absolutely delighted she’s coming back. Paula’s meant so much to this race in recent years, it’s hard to imagine a marathon without her."

Radcliffe, whose world record stands at two hours 15 minutes 25 seconds, has a best New York time of 2:23:09 set in 2007.