Tsegaye Kebede Added To NYC Field

Martin Lel joins the fray as well.

According to a press release, one of Ethiopia’s fastest marathoners, Tsegaye Kebede, has joined the highly competitive field for the upcoming ING New York City Marathon.

Kebede, 26, has an Olympic bronze medal from the 2008 Games. He also won this year’s London Marathon.

“Kebede is currently in first place on the men’s 2012-2013 WMM series leaderboard,” read the release. “He also won the 2010 Virgin London Marathon (2:05:19).”

In addition to Kebede, Kenya’s Martin Lel is entered into the field. Lel, 34, is a five-time marathon champion and has won the New York City Marathon twice (2003 and 2007). Like Kebede, he has also enjoyed success in London, winning that marathon three times (2005, 2007, and 2008). He became the youngest man to win five majors.

On the women’s side, Italy’s Valeria Straneo has joined the field.The 37-year-old Italian won the silver medal this year’s World Championship Marathon in Moscow.She set a new Italian record for the marathon last year in Rotterdam with a personal-best time of 2:23:44.

For More: New York Road Runners