Koen Naert Prepares for New York Marathon and Focuses on Paris Games

Koen Naert will participate in the New York marathon on Sunday, November 5. He will try to match his eighth place from 2017 in 2:13.21. But, everything is focused on the Paris Games. “Clearing work points is the most important thing for me,” he said during a digital press briefing on Thursday.

Although his result in New York six years ago was considered a superb performance, Naert doesn’t remember it very well. “After 30 kilometers, I cramped and walked into Central Park,” he said. “It’s the only time in my career I’ve had to walk. I prefer not to think about it again.”

Will he be in the top eight again this year? “Normally, I can reach the top 8 in every race, but today, the number of competitors is such that it can knock you over,” he admits. “I’m already wearing bib 11 at the start. If I am ninth after a good race, I will also be satisfied, but the most important thing is to take away work points. This way I know what I still need to work on. Running uphill or downhill, for example.”

New York, a journey to prepare for Paris

The choice of New York has a lot to do with the hilly course of next year’s Olympic marathon. “Also in training we try new things,” says Naert. “Power training is different and I have stepped onto the railway bridge outside my door several times during tempo training.”

In addition to being a top athlete, Naert is also a nurse. During his last internship in Kenya, he gave a refresher course on wound care. “I hope to expand this collaboration in the future.”

2023-10-27 09:52:00
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