Obiri and Kipruto to defend New York City Marathon titles

Hellen Obiri wins the New York City Marathon (© AFP / Getty Images)

Kenya’s Hellen Obiri and Benson Kipruto will defend their TCS New York City Marathon titles against formidable fields when the World Athletics Platinum Label road race returns on 1 November.

Obiri took almost three minutes off the course record when she won in New York last year in 2:19:51, while Kipruto beat Alexander Mutiso by just 16 hundredths of a second as they both clocked 2:08:09.

This time Obiri will take on Olympic champion Sifan Hassan, 2024 New York City Marathon champion Sheila Chepkirui, 2022 world champion Gotytom Gebreslase and last year’s world bronze medallist Julia Paternain.

“Last year’s TCS New York City Marathon was a dream come true, from breaking the course record and capturing my second title to celebrating with the incredible fans who line every mile of the course,” said Obiri. “New York always brings out the best in me, and I’m excited to return and feel the energy of each borough during such a historic year.”

Dutch star Hassan, who has the fastest PB in the field of 2:13:44, returns after finishing sixth on her New York City Marathon debut last year.

“I’m really looking forward to New York,” said Hassan. “I’ve had a lot more time to get ready for this marathon than I did last year. I’m happy I didn’t take any risks with my injury in the spring, that’s given me the chance to prepare properly and come into New York healthy. Training is going well, I really want to be competitive in New York this year.”

North American half marathon record-holder Weini Kelati will make her marathon debut.

In the men’s race, Kipruto will face two other former New York City Marathon champions, 2017 and 2019 winner Geoffrey Kamworor and Abdi Nageeye, who won in 2024. They will be joined by US record-holder Conner Mantz, Tokyo Marathon runner-up Deresa Geleta, 2024 Berlin Marathon runner-up CyBrian Kotut, world bronze medallist Iliass Aouani and Mohamed Esa, runner-up in Boston and Chicago in 2024.

European 5000m and half marathon record-holder Andreas Almgren, who claimed world 10,000m bronze last year, makes his marathon debut.

“My first experience at the TCS New York City Marathon was unforgettable, and I am thrilled to return,” said Kipruto. “Every major marathon is important, but New York has a unique atmosphere and community. The competition will be particularly strong, and I’m eager to defend my title on one of the sport’s biggest stages.”

WomenSifan Hassan (NED) 2:13:44Hellen Obiri (KEN) 2:15:53Sheila Chepkirui (KEN) 2:17:29Gotytom Gebreslase (ETH) 2:18:11Violah Cheptoo (KEN) 2:19:05Edna Kiplagat (KEN) 2:19:50Fiona O'Keeffe (USA) 2:22:10Fabienne Königstein (GER) 2:22:17Erika Kemp (USA) 2:22:56Giovanna Epis (ITA) 2:23:46Mercy Chelangat (KEN) 2:23:33Annie Frisbie (USA) 2:24:12Rie Kawauchi (JPN) 2:24:16Amanda Vestri (USA) 2:25:40Jessica McClain (USA) 2:25:46Phily Bowden (GBR) 2:25:47Lauren Hagans (USA) 2:25:47Julia Paternain (URU) 2:25:47Cailie Hughes (USA) debutWeini Kelati (USA) debut

MenBenson Kipruto (KEN) 2:02:16Deresa Geleta (ETH) 2:02:38CyBrian Kotut (KEN) 2:03:22Abdi Nageeye (NED) 2:04:20Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) 2:04:23Iliass Aouani (ITA) 2:04:26Mohamed Esa (ETH) 2:04:39Conner Mantz (USA) 2:04:43Kengo Suzuki (JPN) 2:04:56Yemaneberhan Crippa (ITA) 2:05:18Edward Cheserek (KEN) 2:05:24Ryota Kondo (JPN) 2:05:39Zouhair Talbi (USA) 2:05:45Peter Lynch (IRL) 2:06:08Patrick Dever (GBR) 2:06:18Haftu Strintzos (AUS) 2:06:20Jack Rowe (GBR) 2:07:47Andreas Almgren (SWE) debutPatrick Kiprop (KEN) debutAhmed Muhamed (USA) debut