Evans Chebet and Sheila Chepkirui will lead the Kenyan team for the 2025 New York City Marathon

The 2022 New York City Marathon champion Evans Chebet and current women’s champion Sheila Chepkirui will lead the Kenyan team in this year’s race, which will be held on November 2.

Evans Chebet will be looking for revenge after narrowly missing out on the title last year. The 36-year-old marathon runner will be looking to reclaim the crown he won in 2022.

Race organizers highlighted the marathon’s ever-growing popularity. “Last year’s race set a record with 55,642 finishers, making it the largest marathon in world history at the time”, says the statement.

In 2024, Evans Chebet clocked 2:07:45 hours to finish second. Evans Chebet’s only triumph in the Big Apple came in 2022, when he clocked 2:08:41 hours.

Joining Evans Chebet on the streets of New York City is 2024 Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto, who will be looking for his second podium finish of the year.

In the women’s race, organizers are promising one of the most competitive races in recent memory. “For the first time since 2018, the women’s race will feature the last three New York City Marathon champions”, says the statement.

The spotlight is on Sheila Chepkirui, who made a breakthrough with a career-defining victory in 2024. “Crossing the finish line of the 2024 New York City Marathon was a defining moment in my career. After two successful appearances in New York last year, I look forward to returning and seeing what I can do”, said Sheila Chepkirui.