When Sheila Chepkirui crossed the finish line in Central Park to reclaim the New York City Marathon title, it was more than just another World Major victory. It was a statement of resilience, patience, and lessons learnt from a painful defeat a year earlier.
Chepkirui had returned to the streets of New York with unfinished business after surrendering her crown in 2025, when she edged to third place behind compatriots, winner with a course record Hellen Obiri and Sharon Lokedi.
This time, however, Chepkirui was determined to write a different script, and she did it in style, holding off Obiri and American upstart Jessica McClain in a thrilling contest to become a two-time New York Marathon champion, having first won the title in 2024.
For Chepkirui, the mission had never been about chasing a fast time but winning back the title she had lost to her compatriot.
“My coach Julien Di Maria and I came here for the title, so I am very happy to have reclaimed my title,” she told Nation Sport on Monday.
Kenya's Sheila Chepkirui celebrates on the podium with her medal and trophy after winning the women's elite race at the New York City Marathon on November 1, 2026.
The 2026 victory was built on a carefully executed race plan, influenced by what she learnt from last year's defeat.
Unlike in 2025, when she did much of the early work at the front, Chepkirui opted for a more conservative approach, keeping her tank full as she waited for the inevitable attacks later in the race.
“Last year I did most of the work at the front and pushed the pace hard, but Obiri and Lokedi had more at the end. This year I decided to save my energy, respond to the moves from anyone and keep my strength for the finish,” she added.
The strategy paid off when the race intensified after 35km and it was only Obiri who managed to respond as Chepkirui raised the tempo, setting up a fascinating duel between the two Kenyans.
They remained together at the 40km mark, but Chepkirui had kept enough in reserve to make her decisive move in Central Park and she knew the race was far from over.
“I only knew it was mine very close to the finish, because you can never relax against Obiri who has a strong kick,” she said.
The victory was also the product of adjustments made during training, with Chepkirui and her coach focusing on strength, speed and race-day nutrition rather than simply increasing mileage.
“We did a bit more gym work and a bit more speed instead of volume,” she revealed.
The preparations also included working extensively on her hydration and nutrition strategy in collaboration with Maurten, whose products she used during the race.
“My intake on Sunday was very good,” said the Kericho-based athlete.
Her third-place finish in 2025 had initially been disappointing, particularly because she had arrived in New York as defending champion and had invested heavily in leading the race.
But rather than allowing the result to derail her ambitions, she used it as motivation and it also helped that she had run more than four minutes faster than her winning time in 2024, an indication that her performance level remained strong despite finishing behind Obiri and Lokedi.
“You can do everything right and still finish third, because the other women are also strong. So you just have to accept the result, go back to training and try again,” she said.
Chepkirui is now eager to claim a place in Team Kenya for the 2027 World Athletics Championships and 2028 Olympic Games.
“If I am given the chance to represent my country, yes, I will honour the call. Running for Kenya is always a great honour, and I have worn the Kenyan vest on the track.
“Our marathon team is very strong, and selection is normally done by the federation. With the support of my team, I will keep performing and be ready if I am called,” she said.
Chepkirui, who made an impressive transition to marathon running in 2022 with a third-placed 2:17:29 performance in the Valencia Marathon, said motherhood has given her extra motivation to keep pushing herself.
Chepkirui's success is also reinforced by a support network that extends beyond athletics. She is an employee of the Kenya Defence Forces.
She credits KDF for providing an enabling environment for her to pursue an athletics career alongside her military responsibilities.
She also acknowledged the support of her family, coach Julien, Ikaika Sports and Adidas, saying their belief in her remained important even after last year's setback.
“I did not come back alone. My family supported me, my coach believed in me, and Ikaika Sports and Adidas stood with me after last year. When you have a team like that, you keep going,” she said.
Meanwhile, all the past winners of the New York Marathon, led by the first African to win the race, Ibrahim Hussein, were invited as guests for the 50th anniversary celebrations.
