Kenyan quartet fail to impress as South African clinches New York half-marathon men’s title
By Luke Oluoch, March 15, 2026A contingent of four Kenyan athletes led by Daniel Ebenyo failed to make their mark in the 2026 edition of the New York half-marathon race, with the honours going to South African Adriaan Wildschutt.
The athlete dominated the course, completing his conquest in a time of 59:30.
Zouhair Talbi (59:41) and Indian Gulveer Singh completed the podium in the race.
Kenyans fail to exert dominance
The event, bringing thousands of runners and spectators to the streets of New York City, with Team Kenya seeking to extend their dominance in the race, proved challenging.
Ebenyo, who held a personal best of 59:04, recorded in 2022, heading into the encounter, was forced to settle for a place outside the top ten after the tough outing.
Patrick Kiprop, Kenya’s brightest spot in the race, finished the course in a time of 1:00:01.
The feat secured him a lowly eighth-place finish.
Abel Kipchumba, meanwhile, finished outside the top ten too despite entering the race among the clear favourites.
The athlete had been confirmed among the elite field in what would see him aim for a third consecutive title after winning the event in 2024 and 2025.
With a personal best of 58:07, recorded in 2021, and as the course’s defending champion, Kipchumba just was not up to the event.
The struggles of Kenya’s men runners were in full glare in the Lisbon Half Marathon, where Jacob Kiplimo starred with a personal best time of 2:02:23 to claim victory.
London Marathon next
Marathon action now shifts to the upcoming challenge: the London Marathon on April 26, 2026.
Already a star-studded field, including defending champion and course specialist Sabastian Sawe, who enjoyed a dominant 2025 season with victories in both London and Berlin is among those confirmed.
Joining him will be a formidable Kenyan contingent featuring 2022 London champion Amos Kipruto and two-time New York City Marathon winner Geoffrey Kamworor, alongside Ugandan duo Jacob Kiplimo and Joshua Cheptegei. Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha will also take part.