Ng'etich eyes Houston glory as he seeks a flying start to his 2026 road campaign

After a 2025 season that delivered flashes of brilliance alongside frustrating setbacks, 2023 Berlin Marathon runner-up Vincent Ngetich is keen to turn the page and emphatically launch his 2026 campaign when he lines up for the Houston Half Marathon on Sunday.

Ng'etich opened his 2025 account on a promising note, finishing second at the Santa Pola Half Marathon in Spain on January 19, stopping the clock at 1:00:00, just five seconds adrift of compatriot Vincent Langat.

Jonathan Kamosong completed the podium in 1:01:25.

Ng'etich carried that momentum to the Tokyo Marathon on March 2, securing a third-place finish in 2:04:00.

Ethiopians Tadese Takele (2:03:23) and Deresa Geleta (2:03:51) proved untouchable on the day, sealing first and second place respectively.

On May 18, Ngetich dropped down in distance and showed his versatility at the Great Manchester Run 10km, again finishing third in 27:58.

He trailed Ethiopia’s 2020 Olympic 10,000m champion Selemon Barega (27:49) and Uruguay’s Santiago Catrofe (27:52).

However, the tail end of the campaign proved difficult as Ng'etich struggled to impose himself in the marathon at the World Championships in Tokyo, finishing 22nd in 2:13:38.

Tanzania’s Alphonse Simbu (2:09:48) claimed gold, edging out Germany’s Amanal Petros (2:09:48), while Italy’s Iliass Aouani (2:09:53) completed the podium in a thrilling finish.

In Houston, Ng'etich will be joined by Alex Masai and Patrick Kiprop.

Masai enjoyed a solid 2025 on the roads, finishing fifth at the Rotterdam Marathon in 2:08:03, 12th at the Boston 10K (29:24) and rounding off the year with a third-place finish at the Chicago Marathon in 2:04:37.

Kiprop, meanwhile, showcased consistency across multiple distances, placing third at the Chicago Half Marathon (1:01:19), fifth at the Boilermaker 15K (43:37) and second at the Beach to Beacon 10K, where he clocked 27:36.

On Sunday, the Kenyans will face stiff opposition from the hosts, spearheaded by 2017 Chicago Marathon champion Galen Rupp.

Meanwhile, Evaline Chirchir and Veronica Loleo headline Kenya’s assault in the women’s race.

Chirchir’s 2025 campaign began with a fourth-place finish at the Meishan Half Marathon (1:06:40) before she surged to a runner-up finish at the Prague Marathon, clocking 2:21:25.

She followed that with a fifth-place finish at the Sydney Marathon (2:23:13) and capped off her season with a third-place showing at the Boston Half Marathon (1:09:21).

Loleo, on the other hand, enjoyed a glittering run of form, stringing together three consecutive road victories at the Bloomsday Run 12K (38:02), Boilermaker 15K (49:37) and the Buenos Aires Half Marathon (1:06:58).

She closed out her year with a strong third-place finish at the Valencia Half Marathon, clocking 1:05:46.

The Kenyan duo will, however, have their work cut out against a formidable Ethiopian contingent led by 2018 World junior 3,000m bronze medallist Tsigie Gebreselama.