New York City Marathon defending champions Hellen Obiri and Benson Kipruto will spearhead Kenya’s charge in a bid to defend their titles at the Big Apple race on Sunday.
Last year, Obiri stormed to the women’s title in a stunning course-record time of 2:19:51, securing her second New York crown in emphatic fashion.
Obiri’s mark eclipsed the previous course benchmark of 2:22:31 set by fellow Kenyan 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 podium in 2:20:24.
Obiri heads to New York with proper knowledge of the course.
Prior to her victory last year, 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 fellow Kenyan Chepkirui, who triumphed in 2:24:35.
She heads into 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, finish second at the London Marathon in 2:15:53 and place third at the New York Mini 10K in 31:10.
Obiri will be joined in the elite field by Chepkirui, evergreen former world champion Edna Kiplagat, Viola Cheptoo and Mercy Chelangat.
Meanwhile, Kipruto clinched the men’s title in New York last year after a nail-biting finish that saw him edge 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.