New York City Marathon reigning champions Hellen Obiri and Benson Kipruto will on Sunday lead Kenya’s charge in a bid to defend their titles.
In 2025, Obiri triumphed in the women’s category in a stunning course-record time of 2:19:51, clinching her second New York title in emphatic fashion.
Obiri’s new mark eclipsed the previous course benchmark of 2:22:31 set by compatriot Margaret Okayo back in 2003.
She also spearheaded an all-Kenyan podium sweep, with Sharon Lokedi finishing second in 2:20:07 as Sheila Chepkirui rounded off the top-three bracket in 2:20:24.
Obiri heads to New York with proper knowledge of the course.
Prior to her victory in 2025, Obiri had also secured the 2023 title after slicing through the tape in 2:27:23, holding off Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey (2:27:29) and Lokedi (2:27:33).
Obiri also boasts a runner-up finish from 2024, when she clocked 2:24:49 behind Chepkirui, who triumphed in 2:24:35.
She heads to New York on the back of a strong 2026 campaign that has seen her claim victory at the New York Half Marathon in 1:06:33, come second at the London Marathon in 2:15:53 and place third at the New York Mini 10K in 31:10.
Obiri will rub shoulders again with Chepkirui, along with evergreen former world champion Edna Kiplagat, Viola Cheptoo and Mercy Chelangat.
Meanwhile, Kipruto bagged the men’s title in New York in 2025 after a nail-biting finish that saw him pip compatriot Alexander Munyao by the narrowest of margins, with both Kenyan stars stopping the clock at 2:08:09.
Britain’s Patrick Dever completed the podium in 2:08:58.
Kipruto will particularly be searching for a return to top form after a mixed bag of outings this season.
He placed third at the Boston Marathon in 2:02:50 before finishing eighth at the Bogota Half Marathon in 1:05:35.
He will be joined on the starting line by fellow Kenyans Geoffrey Kamworor, CyBrian Kotut and Edward Cheserek.
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