Defending champions Kipchumba, Lokedi headline loaded New York half marathon fields
Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 19.02.26. | 14:50
The women's race will see Lokedi take on Obiri for the eighth time in their careers
Organisers have named a star-studded field for this year's New York Half marathon, set for Sunday, 15 March, headlined by defending champions Abel Kipchumba and Sharon Lokedi, out to defend their titles.
Coming into last year’s race with a target on his back, Kipchumba rose to the occasion and won his second consecutive title in a new event record time of 59:09.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
As the 10th fastest half marathoner of all time, he will look to become the first three-time men’s open division champion in race history.
“Winning in New York is never easy, and coming back to defend my title again is a challenge I’m excited for,” said Kipchumba. “The energy on the streets pushes you from the first mile to the last, and I’m motivated to chase history against a world-class field.“
Kipchumba will be joined by compatriot Daniel Simiu Ebenyo, a three-time World Championships medalist with two silvers in the 10,000m and half marathon and a recent bronze medal at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in January. This will mark Ebenyo’s New York Road Runners racing debut.
The duo goes up against previously announced two-time Olympic bronze medalist Grant Fisher, and a slew of national record holders including Canada's Rory Linkletter. In addition to Fisher, the Americans will be led by four of the fastest half marathoners and marathoners in American history: Ryan Ford, Alex Maier, Galen Rupp, and Zouhair Talbi, along with U.S. Olympian Joe Klecker.
Meanwhile, Lokedi will take on defending TCS New York City Marathon champion Hellen Obiri in a powerhouse field that also features the 2026 World Cross Country Championships gold medalist and world 10K record holder Agnes Ngetich, Fantaye Belayneh, the second fastest half marathoner this year, 2025 World Athletics Championships marathon bronze medalist Julia Paternain, and top Americans Lindsay Flanagan, Annie Frisbie, Dakotah Popehn, Natosha Rogers, and Emily Sisson.
Building upon her career success in New York, including a surprise debut win in the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon, Lokedi won her first United Airlines NYC Half in commanding fashion last year, running an event record of 1:07:04. This will be her first race since finishing as runner-up at the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon.
“New York has been so special to my career, and returning as the defending champion means a lot to me,” said Lokedi. “Running through Times Square and seeing all the young runners is one of the highlights for me and I can’t wait to draw inspiration from them again this year.“
Lokedi will face off against the 2023 and 2025 TCS New York City Marathon champion Obiri for the eighth time in their careers.
Notably, they will be joined by Ngetich, who won the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in dominant fashion, winning by the second largest margin in history. The world record holder at 10K, Ngetich is also the second fastest half marathoner in history, and this will be her New York Road Runners racing debut.