The Great North Run defending champions Alexander Munyao and Sheila Chepkirui will return to England on September 13, determined to retain their titles against an elite field of international distance stars.
Munyao produced a commanding display at last year’s edition, surging to the men’s crown in 1:00:52.
The Kenyan outkicked Belgium’s Bashir Abdi, who settled for second in 1:00:58, while compatriot Abel Kipchumba completed a Kenyan-heavy podium in 1:01:01.
In the women’s race, Chepkirui delivered an equally impressive performance, powering to victory in 1:09:32.
She edged compatriot Vivian Cheruiyot (1:09:37), with British favourite Eilish McColgan finishing third in 1:09:42.
This year’s Great North Run will serve as a crucial tune-up for Munyao as he builds towards the Valencia Marathon in December, where a mouthwatering showdown awaits against compatriot John Korir and Ethiopia’s world half marathon record holder Yomif Kejelcha.
The 29-year-old will also be eager to rediscover his winning rhythm following a disappointing outing in Boston.
On June 21, Munyao lined up at the Boston 10km Road Race, where he finished sixth in 28:24.
That race was won by Kenya’s Patrick Kiprop in 27:55, ahead of South Africa’s Adriaan Wildschutt (28:00) and Eritrea’s Dawit Seare (28:06).
Before Boston, however, Munyao had shown his marathon pedigree with a podium finish at the Tokyo Marathon on March 1.
He clocked 2:03:38 to finish just behind Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele (2:03:37), with compatriot Geoffrey Kipchumba also recording 2:03:37 in a remarkably tight finish.
Munyao arrives in Newcastle boasting an outstanding half marathon resume, highlighted by victories at Santa Pola in 2020 (59:09), Marugame in 2023 (59:17) and 2025 (59:16), as well as Gifu in 2022 (59:56).
His consistency over the 21km distance is further underlined by runner-up finishes at Ras Al Khaimah in 2020 (59:16), Marugame in 2024 (59:37) and the Adidas Adizero Road to Records Half Marathon in 2021 (59:20).
Chepkirui will likewise be hoping the Great North Run provides the perfect proving ground ahead of her New York City Marathon campaign on November 1.
Like her compatriot, the Kenyan distance ace is targeting a return to top form after placing fifth at the Port-Gentil 10km Road Race on June 28, where she clocked 33:12.
Her half marathon credentials are equally formidable, featuring victories in Berlin in 2022 (1:05:02) and Paris in 2023 (1:06:01), alongside runner-up finishes in Valencia in 2020 (1:05:39), Marugame in 2024 (1:06:47) and Buri in 2023 (1:10:03).
