Kenya’s best female runners confirmed for New York City marathon

By Tony Kipkorir

On Sunday, November 5, all eyes will be glued to the screens as elite road runners battle it out for glory at the 2023 New York City Marathon.

The race promises to be an exciting one after the confirmation of a stellar field in the women’s category.

Four of Kenya’s best marathon runners including former world record holder Brigid Kosgei, reigning Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir, Hellen Obiri and Sharon Lokedi are expected to light up the streets of the American City.

Brigid Kosgei, who has missed most of the Abbott World Marathon Majors this year, would be seeking to reclaim her world record in a tough course.

Unlike the likes of Berlin, where Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa recently smashed Kosgei’s world record (subject to ratification), and Chicago Marathon, the New York City Marathon course is not that flat. Therefore, for Kosgei to lower the current mark, she will have to dig deeper.

Jepchirchir is another favorite - the two-time world half marathon champion has the second fastest personal best among the Kenyan contingent and she is also a past winner.

The 30-year-old, who was sidelined for several months due to an injury, bagged the New York City Marathon in 2021 in a time of 2:22.39.

Jepchirchir enters the race in good shape, having secured a gold medal at the Word Athletics Road Running Championships staged in Riga, Latvia on Sunday, October 1.

Speaking before the showdown, the one-time Boston Marathon champion revealed that she will use the race to gauge herself ahead of the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games. 

“I was so disappointed that I couldn’t defend my title in New York last year due to an injury, and winning again in Central Park has been my main motivation as I begin my preparations for the autumn.

New York is an important step in defending my Olympic gold medal next summer in Paris, and I will do my best to make my family and my country proud,” Jepchirchir told the organizers.

Obiri, who recently ditched track and field for road running and the little-known Lokedi are the other athletes to keep an eye on. 

The former has had an impressive start in her marathon career, having clinched the Boston Marathon earlier this year in a fantastic fashion.

She goes into the race with a personal best time of 2:21.38 - an excellent mark for someone who has only run a few marathons.

Lokedi on the other hand will be seeking to defend her title. The Kapkenda Girls High School alumni won the New York City Marathon last year in her debut. 

She ran a tactical race to reach the tape in 2:23.23, overcoming a spirited fight from Kenyan-born Israel international Lonah Salpeter in the final stages of the race.

Personal Bests

Brigid Kosgei - 2:14.04 

Peres Jepchirchir - 2:17.16

Hellen Obiri - 2:21.38

Sharon Lokedi - 2:23.23