Hellen Obiri and Benson Kipruto in attempt to defend their titles at the New York City Marathon

Last year’s champions Hellen Obiri and Benson Kipruto return to the prestigious New York City Marathon this Sunday. The two Kenyans will be looking to add to their tally against some of the toughest competition in the IAAF’s platinum-label road race. This year’s edition of the race is a special one, marking the 50th anniversary of the iconic course, which runs through all five boroughs of New York City.

Two-time winner Hellen Obiri, who broke Margaret Okayo’s 2003 course record of 2:19:51 last season, has a chance to join an elite group of women with at least three wins in New York City. Only the legendary Grete Waitz (nine), Mary Jepkosgei Keitany (four) and Paula Jane Radcliffe (three) have achieved the feat.

After a difficult marathon debut in 2022, when she finished sixth, the Colorado-based two-time world 5,000m champion has found the right recipe for the streets of New York. She triumphed in 2023 and was second in 2024, before winning again last season.

All four of her major marathon victories have come on American soil, with the other two coming in Boston. Hellen Obiri triumphed in the New York Half Marathon earlier this year, and in her London Marathon debut in April, she finished second behind Tigst Assefa’s all-women’s world record, clocking a personal best of 2:15:53.

The Kenyan arrives with the fastest time on the women’s starting line-up, which has seen Olympic champion Sifan Hassan withdraw due to illness. However, four athletes with sub-2:20 records will be competing. Among them are 2024 champion Sheila Chepkirui, who is fighting for a third consecutive podium finish, as well as Viola Cheptoo Lagat and 2010 winner Edna Kiplagat.

No male track and field athlete has successfully defended his title in New York in consecutive years since John Kihonge in 1998. Now Benson Kipruto is aiming to end that streak and achieve a more convincing victory.

Last season, the 35-year-old Kenyan crossed the finish line in 2:08:09 in Central Park, beating compatriot Alexander Munyao by just three hundredths of a second in the most contested finish in the race’s history.