Queen of New York Hellen Obiri claims half marathon title ahead of Lokedi
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 15.03.26. | 19:15
"I told myself I had to be patient and run my race because the field was so strong and fast"
Two-time New York City (NYC) Marathon champion, Hellen Obiri, is now a two-time NYC Half champion, after running 1:06:33 to defeat 2025 champion Sharon Lokedi and claim her second major victory on the streets of New York since November.
Obiri broke the course record, resetting Lokedi's 1:07:04 from 2025.
The latter, meanwhile, ran 1:07:10 for second place as Megan Keith completed the podium places 1:07:13.
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"Incredible moment. I told myself I had to be patient and run my race because the field was so strong and fast," she offered after the victory.
Keeping with the leading pack from the early stages of the race, Obiri stayed behind World Cross Country champion Agnes Ngetich who led through 5km in 15:15, with Ethiopia's Fentaye Belayneh right with them.
At the 10km mark, the Kenyan duo of Ngetich (30:50) and Obiri (30:50) were shoulder to shoulder, having dropped Belayney.
Lokedi was quickly gaining on the two, going through in 30:59.
The 2023 winner, Obiri, made her move as the trio approach led the 15km mark, opening up a 30-second lead on Ngetich and extending it to 39-seconds at the 20km point mark (1:03:02), with Lokedi having moved up to second.
Obiri held on to finish strong and break a mark set by the woman chasing her.
Ngetich, who had looked strong earlier on finished outside the top ten.
What an extraordinary display of class and champion mentality by Hellen Obiri who has clocked an impressive 1:06:33 to capture the the 2026 New York Half Marathon title.
— Essy Okenyuri (@EssyOkenyuri) March 15, 2026
Her effort on the global stage has been nothing short of remarkable. Every stride she takes reflects the… pic.twitter.com/7hzYJv2bFB
About New York being her second home, she responded, "Seems it is. It is amazing to me. Last year (NY Marathon) I did the event record and this year the same has happened."
Meanwhile, the men's race went to South Africa's Adriaan Wildschutt in 59:30, in just his second race in the distance, becoming the first winner from his country.
Meanwhile, Zouhair Talbi finished second in a personal best (PB) of 59:41 while India's Gulveer Singh, on his debut, secured third in 59:42.
Women's Top 10 Results
1. Hellen Obiri-1:06:33
2
2. Sharon Lokedi-1:07:10
3. Megan Keith-1:07:13
4. Diane Van Es-1:08:21
5. Fentaye Belayneh- 1:08:22
6. Emily Sisson-1:09:06
7. Amanda Vestri-1:09:22
8. Annie Frisbie-1:09:25
9. Susanna Sullivan-1:09:38
10. Emily Venters- 1:09:46