Kenya's Benson Kipruto (centre) celebrates after winning the men's elite race at New York City Marathon alongside second-placed Kenya's Alexander Mutiso and third-placed Albert Korir on November 2, 2025.
New York’s streets offer no guarantees, even to champions who have conquered them before.
Benson Kipruto and Hellen Obiri may once again discover that on Sunday, when they return to defend their titles at the New York City Marathon, they face a Kenyan challenge determined to keep the prestigious crowns firmly in the country’s hands.
The women’s elite field will be the first to go at 4.35pm (Kenyan time) followed by the men’s race at 5.05pm.
Kenya's Benson Kipruto (left) celebrates after winning the men's elite race at New York City Marathon with second-placed Alexander Mutiso on November 2, 2025.
In the men’s category, three former champions will renew their rivalry, with defending champion Kipruto leading a formidable Kenyan contingent seeking to extend the country’s dominance at one of the world’s most prestigious road races.
Kenya's Hellen Obiri crosses the line to win the women's elite race at the New York City Marathon on November 2, 2025.
Kipruto, who edged compatriot Alexander Mutiso in a dramatic photo-finish last year, returns to defend his crown against two-time winner Geoffrey Kamworor and 2024 champion Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands in what promises to be another Big Apple thriller.
In the women’s race, defending champion Hellen Obiri headlines a strong Kenyan lineup that includes Sheila Chepkirui, the 2024 winner. The two races carry an attractive prize purse exceeding $700,000 (Sh90.8 million), with the men’s and women’s winners each taking home $100,000 (Sh12.9 million).
Runners-up will pocket $60,000 (Sh7.7 million), while third place finishers earn Sh5.1 million, with prize money being paid to the top 10 finishers.
An additional $50,000 (Sh6.4 million) awaits any athlete who breaks the course record. Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola holds the men’s course record of 2:04:58, set in 2023, while Obiri owns the women’s record of 2:19:51, established last year. Kipruto, the fastest man in the field with a personal best of 2:02:16, will be seeking to consolidate his reputation as one of the world’s best marathoner runners.
If he wins, he will join the likes of Italy’s Orlando Pizzolato, who won in 1984 and 1985, Mexico’s Germán Silva (1994 and 1995), John Kagwe (1997 and 1998) and Geoffrey Mutai (2011 and 2013), who have earned double crowns.
The 2Running Athletics Club athlete from Kapsabet, Nandi County, knows that defending the title will require another carefully executed race, particularly after last year’s dramatic battle with Mutiso.
Kipruto and Mutiso both clocked 2:08:09 in a photo-finish.
Briton Patrick Dever was awarded third place after Kenya’s Albert Korir was disqualified.
With Mutiso not necessarily in the picture this time, Kipruto insists his focus remains on executing his race rather than worrying about individual opponents.
“I have done marathons for many years, and I will be running my own race. My target is to defend my title. I just have to run smart,” said Kipruto.
The Kenyan admitted that he has made adjustments to his preparations, placing greater emphasis on finishing strength and sprinting to ensure he is better equipped should the contest come again.
A Kenyan sweep, second place Hellen Obiri, first place Sheila Chepkirui, and third place Vivian Cheruiyot place in the professional women's division of the New York City Marathon on November 3, 2024.
However, Kamworor presents a formidable challenge. The Global Sports Communications-managed athlete returns to a course where he has enjoyed considerable success, having won the race in 2017 and 2019.
The Kaptagat-based runner will be pursuing a third New York title, relying on his experience and tactical understanding of the demanding course to overcome a competitive field.
Kamworor opened his 2026 season with an eighth-place finish at the London Marathon in April, clocking 2:05:38. The race was won by compatriot Sabastian Sawe in a historic world-record 1:59:30.
Cyprian Kotut is another Kenyan capable of upsetting the established order.
The former Hamburg Marathon champion finished second at the 2024 Berlin Marathon and third at the 2025 Boston Marathon. A training partner of Kipruto at 2Running Athletics Club, Kotut will be hoping to translate his experience into a podium finish today.
Attention will also be on Edward Cheserek, the Iten-based runner who finished fifth at the 2025 Sydney Marathon in 2:07:38. Patrick Kiprop, meanwhile, makes his marathon debut.
In the women’s race, Obiri returns as the woman to beat after claiming the course record last year.
The former world 5,000m champion is the fastest in the elite women’s field with a personal best time of 2:15:53, set at the London Marathon in April, where she finished second.
She aims to become the first woman to claim back-to-back wins after USA’s Nina Kuscsik (1972,1973), Miki Gorman (1976,1977), Kenya’s Tegla Loroupe (1994,1995) and Latvia’s Jeļena Prokopčuka (2205,2006).
Obiri said she was satisfied with her preparations and was ready for whatever tactical approach her competitors would adopt.
“I’m looking forward to a good race on Sunday,” she simply said.
Her main threat will be Chepkirui and veteran Edna Kiplagat.
The 46-year-old Kiplagat is a two-time world marathon champion and has a personal best time of 2:19:50.
Viola Cheptoo, with a personal best of 2:19:05, is another Kenyan expected to feature prominently, while US-based Mercy Chelangat, whose best stands at 2:20:30, completes the country’s contingent. Kenyans have won 18 men’s and 17 women’s titles, and all indications are that more will be added today.
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