Eliud Kipchoge to lead 5 Kenyans in quest for NYC Marathon gold
By Luke Oluoch, October 31, 2025Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge will make his highly anticipated New York City Marathon debut this Sunday, November 2, 2025, as the 54th edition of the long-distance race takes place in the United States of America.
The former world record holder will be joined by compatriot Benson Kipruto, the Olympic Games gold medalist and 2023 Boston Marathon and 2022 Chicago Marathon champion.
Others in the star list are Alexander Mutiso, who approaches the race fresh from his record-breaking feat in the Valencia Marathon.
Mutiso also bagged bronze in the world U18 championships.
Abel Kipchumba, a former Lisbon and Rotterdam Marathon champion, and Albert Korir, the 2021 New York Marathon winner, wraps up the Kenyan contingent for the race.
The latter will be seeking to make his familiarisation with the New York course a factor on his return.
Bekele in
The Kenyans’ quest for gold will, however, face a tough challenge following the late introduction of Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele.
Just as Kipchoge, the 43-year-old second-faster-ever marathon runner, will be eyeing to defy age in the 54th edition of one of the world’s most iconic races,
“Running the TCS New York City Marathon has been a long-standing goal of mine, and I’m honoured to join the tens of thousands of runners who will run through the five boroughs in November,” said Kipchoge. “I look forward to the city’s energy, its passionate running community, and the challenge of the iconic course.” Kipchoge who recently finished ninth at the Sydney Marathon in August said.
On the other hand, Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands will make her TCS New York City Marathon debut following a record-setting victory in Sydney, where she ran an event record and became the first woman to run under 2:20 on Australian soil.
A threat across any distance, Hassan showcased her impressive range at the 2024 Paris Olympics, medaling in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon, the first woman to complete the trifecta. Over the course of her grueling Olympic schedule, she raced more than 38 miles, capping it off with an Olympic record in the marathon. For her Herculean effort, she was named the 2024 World Athletics Women’s Athlete of the Year.
She will face strong opposition from the Kenyan pair Sharon Lokedi and Sheila Chepkirui.