According to the World Athletics website, it will be a special edition of the event as it celebrates 50 years since the race first switched to its famous route that travels through each of the city’s five boroughs.
Obiri, who is a two-time Olympic 5,000 metres silver medallist from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro and 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she also placed fourth over the 10,000 metres. stormed to the women’s title last year in a stunning course-record time of 2:19:51.
She broke Margaret Okayo’s 2003 course record with her victorious run of 2:19:51, and is now looking to become part of an exclusive club of women to have come out on top in New York at least three times.
The only other members of that group are Grete Waitz (9 wins), Mary Keitany (4) and Paula Radcliffe (3). Last year, Obiri spearheaded an all-Kenyan podium sweep, with Sharon Lokedi finishing second in 2:20:07 as Sheila Chepkirui rounded off the podium in 2:20:24.
Obiri heads to New York with proper knowledge of the course. Prior to her victory last year, Obiri had also secured the 2023 title after slicing through the tape in 2:27:23, holding off Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey (2:27:29) and Lokedi (2:27:33).
‘You can’t underrate anybody’
“It’s a marathon. You can’t underrate anybody and anybody can win,” Obiri told USA TODAY Sports. “So, for me, what I have right now is pressure.”
Obiri also boasts a runner-up finish from 2024, when she clocked 2:24:49 behind fellow Kenyan Chepkirui, who triumphed in 2:24:35.
She heads into New York on the back of a strong 2026 campaign that has seen her claim victory at the New York Half Marathon in 1:06:33, finish second at the London Marathon in 2:15:53 and place third at the New York Mini 10K in 31:10.
Obiri will be joined in the elite field by Chepkirui, evergreen former world champion Edna Kiplagat, Viola Cheptoo and Mercy Chelangat.
Obiri is a two-time world champion after winning the 5,000 m in 2017 and again in 2019, when she set a new championship record. Obiri also took world bronze for the 1,500 metres in 2013 and silver in the 10,000 m in 2022.
She won the 3,000 metres race at the 2012 World Indoor Championships, claimed silver in 2014, and placed fourth in 2018. She is the 2019 World Cross Country champion.
Obiri triumphed in the 2023 Boston Marathon, her second marathon race. She placed fifth in the half marathon on the world all-time list.
Obiri is the former Kenyan national record holder for the mile and the 5000 metres, having set personal bests of 4:16.15 and 14:18.37 in the events, respectively.
Kipruto eyes to win twice in a row
In the men’s race, Kipruto will be looking to win the race twice in a row, a record set by John Kagwe in 199. Last season, Kipruto clinched the men’s title after a nail-biting finish that saw him edge Alexander Munyao by the narrowest of margins, with both Kenyan stars stopping the clock at 2:08:09.
Kipruto will particularly be searching for a return to top form after a mixed bag of outings this season. He placed third at the Boston Marathon in 2:02:50 before finishing eighth at the Bogota Half Marathon in 1:05:35.
He will be joined on the starting line by fellow Kenyans Geoffrey Kamworor, CyBrian Kotut and Edward Cheserek.
An Olympic bronze medallist, Kipruto has won four World Marathon Majors: the 2021 Boston Marathon, 2022 Chicago Marathon, 2024 Tokyo Marathon, and 2025 New York City Marathon
His victory in Tokyo came in a personal best of 2:02:16, which also established a new course record.
