Hellen Obiri, Sharon Lokedi Set for Showdown in New York as Agnes Ngetich Eyes Upset

The streets of New York are set to ignite on March 15 as a trio of Kenya’s elite female runners, Hellen Obiri, Sharon Lokedi, and Agnes Jebet Ng’etich, prepare to face off in a highly anticipated New York City Half Marathon.

The race promises a thrilling clash of talent, with defending champion Sharon Lokedi returning to the city where she has consistently performed.

Last year, she claimed victory with a time of 1:07:04, pulling away from American Fiona O’Keeffe and Britain’s Calli Hauger-Thackery.

The 31-year-old has shown remarkable progress in the 21km distance since her 2021 debut at the Great North Run. Sharon Lokedi’s recent form is formidable.

At the Copenhagen Half Marathon last September, she clocked a stunning personal best of 1:05:00 to finish second, signalling her readiness to defend her title in the Big Apple.

However, she faces stiff competition from Hellen Obiri, a proven champion on New York’s roads. Hellen Obiri is the reigning titleholder of both the New York City Marathon and the Boston Marathon, and she won this very half-marathon in 2023 with a time of 1:07:21.

Her impressive half-marathon record includes victories in major races like Istanbul, Ras Al Khaimah, and Tyne. The rivalry between Hellen Obiri and Sharon Lokedi has become a major draw for distance running fans.

Their marathon battles last season were nail-biters, with Lokedi winning the 2024 Boston Marathon just ahead of Obiri, who then turned the tables to win the New York City Marathon, leaving Lokedi in second place.

While the Obiri-Lokedi duel will capture much of the attention, Agnes Jebet Ng’etich enters the race as a powerful wildcard.

The 25-year-old holds the second-fastest half-marathon time ever recorded, an incredible 1:03:04 set in Valencia in 2024. Only Ethiopia's world record holder, Letesenbet Gidey, has run faster.

Though less experienced over the distance, Agnes Ng’etich is known for her aggressive, front-running style.

Agnes Ngetich arrives in New York in peak form, having recently won her first global title at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Florida. She followed that with a dominant win at the Sirikwa Classic.

On March 15, what is to come is a spectacular collision of championship experience, intense rivalry, and blistering speed on the streets of New York.