The 2022 New York Marathon champion Evans Chebet and the reigning women’s champion Sheila Chepkirui are set to headline Kenya’s charge for this year’s edition, set for November 2.
Race organisers highlighted the ever-growing Marathon. ”Last year’s race set an event record with 55,642 finishers, which at the time was the largest marathon in world history,” the statement read. Chebet will be gunning for redemption after narrowly missing out on last year’s crown.
In 2024, the 36-year-old clocked 2:07:45 to finish behind the Netherlands’ Abdi Nageeye (2:07:39) with Albert Korir (2:08:00) in third place. Chebet’s only triumph in the Big Apple came during the 2022 edition when he stopped the clock in 2:08:41 ahead of Ethiopia’s Shura Kitata (2:08:54) and Nageeye (2:10:31).
Joining Chebet in the streets of New York is 2024 Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto, eyeing his second podium finish of the year. Kipruto opened his year with a seventh-place finish at this year’s Tokyo Marathon, clocking 2:05:46.
He, however, bounced back with a third-place finish from the Bogota Half-marathon, clocking 1:03:41. Also adding firepower is 2024 London Marathon champion Alexander Munyao, chasing a second Marathon podium this year.
On April 27, Munyao clocked 2:04:20 to secure a third-place finish at the London Marathon. Adding more depth to the field are last year’s third-place finisher, Korir and Abel Kipchumba. The Kenyan contingent faces a daunting task from defending champion Nageeye.
The Dutchman, still chasing his first podium of the year after finishing eighth at the Barcelona Half Marathon (1:00:58) and fourth place finish in London (2:04:20).
In the women’s race, organisers have promised one of the most competitive fields in recent memory. ”For the first time since 2018, the women’s open division will feature the three most recent New York Marathon champions,” the statement read.
At the heart of it is Chepkirui, who broke through with a career-defining victory in 2024. ”Breaking the tape at the 2024 New York Marathon was a defining moment in my career. After two successful trips to New York City last year, I look forward to returning and seeing what I can do,” Chepkirui said in the statement from the organisers.
Last year, Chepkirui stopped the clock in 2:24:35 to claim the crown, leading a Kenyan podium sweep with Hellen Obiri (2:24:49) and Vivian Cheruiyot (2:25:21) in second and third place. Chepkirui faces stern opposition from former champions Sharon Lokedi (2022) and Obiri (2023), two of the most in-form athletes on the global circuit.
Lokedi has been flawless this season, winning the New York Half Marathon (1:07:04), the Boston Marathon (2:17:22), and the Boston 10K (31:39).
Obiri has been equally sharp, finishing second in Boston (2:17:41) before sweeping to back-to-back 10km wins in New York (30:44) and Atlanta (31:29).
Also in the fold is are seasoned campaigners Cheruiyot and Edna Kiplagat.
by TEDDY MULEI
