Hellen Obiri reigns supreme, breaks New York half-marathon record
By Luke Oluoch, March 15, 2026Kenyan long-distance athlete Hellen Obiri has extended her dominance in the New York Marathon course, winning the 2026 half-marathon edition in a breathtaking fashion.
The former two-time NY full marathon winner put up a spirited performance to edge a star-studded field in a time of 1:06:33 to win the race ahead of compatriot Sharon Lokedi.
Global achievements
Lokedi, who has similarly enjoyed good fortune in New York, clocked 1:07:10 to seal a 1-2 finish for Kenya.
The plaudits, however, belonged to Obiri, who added to her growing list of global achievements with another emphatic return to claim victory in the half-marathon category.
The Kenyan approached the race from victories in 2023 and 20Hellen Obiri reigns supreme, breaks New York half-marathon record25. The latter was particularly impressive, as she shattered the course record with a time of 2:19:51.
USA athletes
In sheer defiance and determination, the veteran Kenyan returned to the course, this time shattering the half-marathon course record.
Great Britain’s Megan Keith completed the podium finishers.
Another Kenyan, Agnes Ngetich, fizzled out towards the final stages to finish outside the top ten after a sustained spell where she had emerged as the only contender to Obiri.
Kenyan affair
The race also marked a USA women marathoners’ record, with five American women breaking 70 minutes, led by Emily Sisson, who finished sixth overall.
After a strong start, the race started to take shape with Obiri and the Kenyan pair of Ngetich and Lokedi in a tight early struggle. Britons Meghan Keith also battled hard to keep a check on the early favourites.
The race then took a sudden turn, whittling down to a Kenyan affair between Obiri and Ng’etich, before the latter lost grip, leaving Obiri to march to another title in the New York course.