'There is No Point' – Sifan Hassan Explains Why She is Not Obsessed With Winning 2025 New York City Marathon

Fresh off a record-breaking performance in Sydney, Dutch running sensation Sifan Hassan is maintaining a calm and focused mindset as she prepares for her first-ever New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 2.

Sifan Hassan started her season with the London Marathon, where she finished third before her recent exploits at the Sydney Marathon.

She has been on a low compared to her other seasons, even skipping the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

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While many consider her a top contender, the Olympic marathon champion is deliberately avoiding the weight of expectation.

"I can win, but I'm not going to let that get to me," the 32-year-old told Dutch broadcaster NOS. "I can't just think about winning; there's no point in that. I prefer to play it. Of course, I want to win, but I don't need that extra pressure."

Sifan Hassan enters the race as one of the clear favourites, having won four of her six marathons since her stunning debut at the 2023 London Marathon.

Her dominance in the distance was cemented at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she claimed the marathon gold medal with a new Olympic record of 2:22:25, adding to her bronze medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m.

Sifan Hassan’s winning streak continued recently. Sifan Hassan chose to skip the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo to focus on the Sydney Marathon, a decision that proved fruitful.

She delivered a remarkable performance, clocking 2:18:22 to set the fastest women's marathon time ever recorded on Australian soil.

Despite her impressive credentials, Sifan Hassan remains grounded about her chances in New York. She faces a formidable field that includes the last three champions: Kenyans Sharon Lokedi (2022), Hellen Obiri (2023), and Sheila Chepkirui (2024).

"The marathon is more than just the race itself; it's also all the preparation," Hassan explained. "But every marathon is different, and this course is new to me. I'm running it for the first time; others already know the course."

With a reputation for being a challenging route, Sifan Hassan is approaching the five-borough race with a mix of anticipation and caution. "They say it's the best," she noted, "but I certainly hope it's not the toughest."

As Sifan Hassan gears up for her New York City Marathon debut, she has combined confidence with composure, focusing on the challenge ahead rather than the spotlight.