Sheila Chepkirui produced a commanding performance on Sunday to reclaim the New York Marathon women's crown, edging a fiercely contested women's race to return to the top of the podium.
Chepkirui sliced through the tape in 2:24:36, narrowly holding off American Jessica McClain, who clocked 2:24:42, while defending champion Hellen Obiri completed the podium in third place after timing 2:24:43.
Kenyan marathon icon Edna Kiplagat narrowly missed out on a podium finish, settling for fourth in 2:25:42, with compatriot Mercy Chelangat rounding off the top five in 2:25:46.
The victory marked Chepkirui's second New York Marathon title in three years, having first conquered the streets of the Big Apple in 2024 when she powered to victory in 2:24:35.
On that occasion, Chepkirui orchestrated a memorable all-Kenyan podium sweep, holding off distance-running star Obiri, who settled for second in 2:24:49, while the evergreen Vivian Cheruiyot completed the podium in 2:25:21.
However, Chepkirui's quest for back-to-back titles in 2025 hit a snag when Obiri exacted her revenge, storming to victory in 2:19:51 and once again spearheading a Kenyan podium sweep.
Sharon Lokedi finished second in 2:20:07, while Chepkirui was forced to settle for third after clocking 2:20:24.
Chepkirui has enjoyed a busy year on the roads in 2026.
She ignited her 2026 campaign on March 8 at the Nagoya Women's Marathon in Japan, where she produced a strong finish to clinch victory in 2:21:54.
Chepkirui narrowly edged Japan's Sayaka Sato, who clocked 2:21:56, while Ethiopian Aynalem Desta completed the podium in 2:22:37.
The35-year-old then tested her endurance and speed on the track, featuring at the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Track and Field Championships in June.
At the championships, she doubled in the 5,000m and 10,000m, finishing seventh in the shorter distance in 16:08.32 before producing an impressive runner-up finish over the 10,000m, clocking 33:01.56.
Prior to her New York outing on Sunday, Chepkirui featured at the AJ Bell Great North Run.
At the Great North Run on September 13, Chepkirui secured the runner-up spot in 1:08:19, finishing behind former marathon world-record holder Brigid Kosgei, who clocked 1:06:15.
