Kenyan runners dominated the New York Marathon on Sunday, with Hellen Obiri setting a new course record in the women’s race and Benson Kipruto securing victory in the men’s division, underscoring East African supremacy in distance running.
Obiri, who also won the event in 2023, finished in 2 hours, 19 minutes, 51 seconds, shattering the previous course record by more than two minutes. The prior record of 2:22:31 was held by fellow Kenyan Margaret Okayo since 2003.
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The women’s podium was swept by Kenyans, with Sharon Lokedi, the 2022 New York champion, taking second place in 2:20:07. Sheila Chepkirui, who previously won in 2024, finished third in 2:20:24.
In the men’s race, Benson Kipruto claimed victory with a time of 2:08:09 after a spectacular sprint finish, narrowly beating Alexander Mutiso by just 30 hundredths of a second. This win adds New York to Kipruto’s impressive resume, which includes triumphs in Boston (2021), Chicago (2022), and Tokyo (2024).
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Albert Korir completed the all-Kenyan men’s podium, securing third place with a time of 2:08:57.
Among other notable performances, Dutch Olympic champion Sifan Hassan finished sixth in the women’s race, clocking 2:24:43.
The marathon also featured two of history’s greatest long-distance runners. Kenyan legend Eliud Kipchoge, just three days shy of his 41st birthday, placed 17th with a time of 2:14:36.
This race is widely expected to be Kipchoge’s final professional marathon. He crossed the finish line with a large smile, met by significant applause. Ethiopian veteran Kenenisa Bekele, 43, abandoned the race.