Forewarned is forearmed. That is the mantra that reigning New York City Marathon champion Benson Kipruto lives by these days as he prepares to compete in the race on November 1, 2026. But it has not always been like this for the 35-year-old athlete. It is something born out of necessity.

While competing in the 2025 New York City Marathon on November 2, 2025, Kipruto and his compatriot, Alexander Munyao, led in the men’s competition, and broke away from the leading pack at the 35th kilometre mark.

Munyao, who was 28 at the time, went into the race on the back of winning the 2024 London Marathon. Kipruto also went into the race as the 2024 Tokyo Marathon champion. The two ran together for long spells with little to separate them but as they approached the home straight, Munyao, now 29, engaged Kipruto in breath-taking battle to the tape that transformed into a spirited sprint.

Kipruto literally won the photo finish that ensued by the thickness of his vest, winning by 16 hundredths of a second after both had clocked two hours, 08 minutes and 09 seconds. Albert Korir timed 2:08:57 to finish third, completing a 1-2-3 performance for Kenya. In the women’s race, Hellen Obiri (2:19:51) led Sharon Lokedi (2:20:07) and Sheila Chepkirui (2:20:24) to another 1-2-3 finish for Kenya.

Kenya's Benson Kipruto (centre) celebrates after winning the men's elite race at New York City Marathon alongside second-placed Kenya's Alexander Mutiso and third-placed Albert Korir on November 2, 2025.

Kipruto, who claimed bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in his championship debut for Team Kenya, returns to New York in 2026 with a rich resume. He won the 2021 Boston Marathon, the 2022 Chicago Marathon, 2024 Tokyo Marathon, and the 2025 New York City Marathon.

He is wiser as he prepares to compete in New York this year.

Speaking at a press briefing by New York Road Runners on Friday, August 21,2026, Kipruto, 35, said he has stepped up his training, with special focus on speedwork so as to be in good shape, just in case his opponents again stage a dramatic finale.

“This is one of the historic marathon races for me, especially after that sprint finish. My training is going well and I’m preparing for everything. I’m also working on my final kick. As we saw last year, the race can be decided in the final metres,” Kipruto, who trains with the 2Running Athletics Club in Kapsabet, Nandi County, said.

But there will be no Munyao this time round.

This year, Kipruto will face tough competition from two former champions: his compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor who trains in Kaptagat, Elgeyo Marakwet County, and Dutchman Abdi Nageeye, who has also been training in Iten.

Major winners

Three-time World Cross Country champion Kamworor knows what it takes to conquer the New York Marathon course, having won the race in 2017 and in 2019. Nageeye, winner of the 2022 New York City Marathon, will bring further experience to a men’s field packed with major championship winners.

Other Kenyan athletes who will compete in the men’s race include Cybrian Kotut, Edward Cheserek, and Patrick Kiprop who is making his debut.

Obiri’s return comes after one of her most memorable performances in the history of the New York City Marathon. She first won the women’s race in 2023, and reclaimed the title in 2025 in a jaw-dropping 2:19:51, shattering the 22-year-old course record of 2:22:31 which was set by her compatriot Margaret Okayo in 2003.

Obiri is aware of the weight of expectations on her shoulders.

“I started my marathon career at the New York City Marathon, and I’m returning there as the defending champion. This brings with it some pressure, but I believe I will run a good race and defend my title,” Obiri, who has a personal best time of 2:15:53, said on August 21, 2026.

“We are working hard with my coaches in preparation for the race. I’m confident we’ll achieve our goals,” said Obiri.

She said her preparations have been particularly demanding this year due to the unique nature of the New York City Marathon course, which features several challenging sections and is run without pacemakers.

“I have been doing a lot of training because the course is tough and there are no pacemakers to guide us. That means you have to run a calculated race,” said Obiri.

Kenya's Hellen Obiri reacts as she crosses the finish line to win the 2024 Boston Marathon.

Photo credit: File

She will face another strong Kenyan contender in the form of the 2024 New York champion, Sheila Chepkirui, who finished third last year and will be seeking to regain the title she won two years ago.

Other Kenyans who will compete in the race are 2010 New York City Marathon champion Edna Kiplagat, Viola Lagat and Mercy Cherotich.

The field will also feature Olympic champion, Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan, adding another layer of intrigue to a race already packed with world-class athletes.

Julia Paternain, who won the bronze medal in the marathon at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, will also line up in the race.

New York City Marathon is one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, seven of the toughest and most prestigious races in the world. The full list has Tokyo Marathon which was run on March 1, 2026, Boston Marathon (April 20), London Marathon (April 26), Sydney Marathon (August 30) , Berlin Marathon (September 27), Chicago Marathon (October 11), and New York City Marathon (November 1).

Cape Town Marathon was run on May 24, 2026 as a Candidate race, and Shanghai Marathon will also be run on December 6 as a candidate event.

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