Obiri, Kipruto chase historic New York Marathon title defences on Sunday

Obiri, Kipruto chase historic New York Marathon title defences on Sunday - Hellen Obiri crosses the finish line to win the 2025 New York City Marathon in a course-record time of 2:19:51. (Photo: World Athletics)

No man has won the New York City Marathon in consecutive years since Kenya’s John Kagwe achieved the feat in 1997 and 1998.

Hellen Obiri and Benson Kipruto will seek to defend their New York City Marathon titles on Sunday, November 1, with Obiri chasing a third victory and Kipruto aiming to become the first man in 28 years to win the race in successive editions.

The two distance runners return to one of the world’s biggest marathons after winning last year’s races, but face strong international opposition as the event marks 50 years since adopting its famous route through New York’s five boroughs.

Obiri, who has won the women’s race twice, set a course record of 2:19:51 in 2025, breaking the previous mark set by fellow Kenyan Margaret Okayo in 2003. A third victory would put her alongside Mary Keitany, Grete Waitz and Paula Radcliffe as the only women to have won the New York Marathon at least three times.

The two-time world 5,000m champion has continued to show strong form this year, winning the New York City Half Marathon before finishing second at the London Marathon in April in a personal best of 2:15:53.

She will face compatriot Sheila Chepkirui, who won the New York race in 2024 and finished third last year, as well as fellow Kenyan Viola Cheptoo and veteran Edna Kiplagat, the 2010 champion. Olympic marathon champion Sifan Hassan has withdrawn after illness, leaving Obiri with the fastest personal best among the women expected to compete.

Kipruto, meanwhile, is targeting a rare repeat victory in the men’s race, having won last year in 2:08:09 after edging compatriot Alexander Mutiso in a finish decided by just three hundredths of a second.

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No man has won the New York City Marathon in consecutive years since Kenya’s John Kagwe achieved the feat in 1997 and 1998. Kipruto will attempt to end that wait after a strong performance at the Boston Marathon this year, where he finished third in 2:02:50.

The 35-year-old will face Kenyan CyBrian Kotut, who has a personal best of 2:03:22 and Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta, whose best time is 2:02:38. Two-time New York champion Geoffrey Kamworor and 2024 winner Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands are also among the leading contenders.