The New York City Marathon 2026 takes place on Sunday 1 November, with ten Kenyans in the elite fields and defending champions Hellen Obiri and Benson Kipruto both on the start line. The professional women start at 4:35pm EAT and the professional men at 5:05pm EAT. With Olympic champion Sifan Hassan pulling out through illness, Kenya’s women go in as clear favourites.
This year’s race is the 50th running of the event and the 50th year since the course first passed through all five boroughs of New York. It is a World Athletics Platinum Label race.
New York City Marathon 2026: Start Times in Kenya
American clocks go back by an hour early on race day, so New York will be eight hours behind Kenya on Sunday. Here are the start times in East Africa Time:
- Professional men’s wheelchair race: 4:00pm EAT
- Professional women’s wheelchair race: 4:02pm EAT
- Professional women: 4:35pm EAT
- Professional men: 5:05pm EAT
The women’s winner should cross the line at around 7pm EAT, with the men finishing a little after that.
The Kenyan Women
Five Kenyan women are entered, and two of them, Obiri and Chepkirui, have won the last three titles in New York between them.
- Hellen Obiri (personal best 2:15:53): the two-time defending champion, winner in 2023 and 2025. Last year she set the course record of 2:19:51.
- Sheila Chepkirui (2:17:29): the 2024 champion, who finished third last year.
- Viola Cheptoo (2:19:05)
- Edna Kiplagat (2:19:50)
- Mercy Chelangat (2:20:30)
Obiri is chasing a third New York title, which would put her in the company of great champions such as Grete Waitz, Mary Keitany and Paula Radcliffe. She has said she is ready for any pace and that New York always brings out the best in her.
The field has been weakened by withdrawals. Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands is out through illness and American Fiona O’Keeffe is also missing through injury. The main threats to the Kenyans now look like Americans Jessica McClain and Weini Kelati, who is making her marathon debut.
The Kenyan Men
Kenya also has five men in the elite race, led by the defending champion.
- Benson Kipruto (2:02:16): won last year’s race by just 0.03 seconds from compatriot Alexander Mutiso, the closest finish in the event’s history.
- Cyprian Kotut (2:03:22)
- Geoffrey Kamworor (2:04:23): a two-time winner in New York.
- Edward Cheserek (2:05:24)
- Patrick Kiprop: making his marathon debut.
If Kipruto wins again, he will become the first man to win back-to-back titles in New York since his compatriot John Kagwe in 1998. He finished third at the Boston Marathon in the spring.
The strongest challenger on paper is Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta, whose best of 2:02:38 is close to Kipruto’s. Americans Conner Mantz and Zouhair Talbi, Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands and Sweden’s Andreas Almgren, on his debut, complete a strong group.
What to Expect
New York is not a course for fast times. The bridges, the hills in Central Park and the lack of pacemakers usually make it a tactical race, decided in the final 10 kilometres. That suits experienced racers like Obiri, Kipruto and Kamworor, who have all won here before.
In the women’s race, Obiri against Chepkirui is the rivalry to watch. They have shared the last three titles between them and both know how to run this course. In the men’s race, Kipruto’s sprint finish could again be decisive if the leaders arrive in Central Park together.
For live results, check the official TCS New York City Marathon website on race day. If you like following live action, see our guide to live scores in Kenya and our JetBet sportsbook guide.
FAQ
What time does the New York City Marathon 2026 start in Kenya?
The professional women start at 4:35pm EAT and the professional men at 5:05pm EAT on Sunday 1 November 2026.
Which Kenyans are running the New York City Marathon 2026?
The women are Hellen Obiri, Sheila Chepkirui, Viola Cheptoo, Edna Kiplagat and Mercy Chelangat. The men are Benson Kipruto, Cyprian Kotut, Geoffrey Kamworor, Edward Cheserek and Patrick Kiprop.
Who won the New York City Marathon in 2025?
Hellen Obiri won the women’s race in a course record of 2:19:51, and Benson Kipruto won the men’s race by 0.03 seconds.
Is Sifan Hassan running in New York?
No. The Olympic champion withdrew from the race because of illness.
