This weekend, March 15, the reigning world champion Agnes Ngetich will show how the challenges of cross country create a powerful foundation for road racing success. He credits the discipline and mental toughness gained during the cross country season as important preparation. New York Half Marathon.
of Uganda Jacob Kiplimomen world champion He has already set a new world record in the half-marathon: 57:20 EDP Lisbon Half Marathon after a similarly excellent season, which is a promising sign for Ngetic.
Like Ngetic, whose personal best of 1:03:04 ranks as the second-fastest time ever, Kiplimo was also the second-fastest in the men’s competition before breaking the world record in Lisbon.
However, Ngetich says his focus for the upcoming New York Half Marathon is not on the world record, at least not yet.
“Choosing a race is never about just one goal,” says his coach. Julien Di Maria, explaining his decision to compete in New York.
“Agnes has her sights set on the half marathon world record. We know it, he knows it, and Valencia have proved twice that they have the pace. But an athlete’s season is strategically structured.
“New York serves a different purpose. It’s a competitive race. A chance to race for the win, test myself against world-class competition and continue to build race fitness after World Cross Country,” he said.
For Ngetic, his coach emphasizes, the NYC Half is about competition, not chasing fast times on a flat course.
“Agnes competes to compete. When he’s ready to chase the record again, you’ll know,” adds his trainer.
Defending champions Abel Kipchumba and Sharon Lockedi will both return in the men’s and women’s events respectively.
Miramar, Florida, USA
May 2-4, 2025 Photo by Kevin Morris
The women’s field, featuring 12 athletes with personal bests under 1:08:00, is one of the deepest fields ever assembled for a half marathon anywhere in the world.
“New York has been so special to my career and coming back as the defending champion means a lot to me,” Lockedy said. “Running through Times Square and seeing all the young runners is one of the highlights for me, and I can’t wait to be inspired by them again this year.”
In addition to Ngetich, Lokedi will face her long-time road rival Helen Obiri, the 2023 and 2025 TCS New York Marathon champion.
Other notable contenders include Ethiopia’s Fantaye Belayne, who clocked the second-fastest time of the year in 1:04:49, and Germany’s Konstanze Klosterhalfen, whose personal best of 1:05:41 complements her national records from 1500m to 10,000m.
Kipchumba, who won his second straight United Airlines NYC Half title in a record 59:09, making him the 10th fastest half marathoner in history, will be aiming for a three-peat.
“Winning in New York is never easy and coming back to defend my title again is a challenge I’m excited about,” said Kipchumba. “The energy of the streets drives you from the first mile to the last, and I’m motivated to chase history on a world-class field.”
One of his main rivals is Kenya’s Daniel Ebenyo, the newly crowned World Cross Country bronze medalist.
Kipchumba has a faster personal best (58:07) compared to Ebenyo’s 59:04, but Ebenyo has more prestigious titles as a World Half Marathon silver medalist and 2023 World 10,000m silver medallist.
With ten runners under 60 minutes in the men’s field, including South Africa’s Adrian Wildshut, Kenya’s Patrick Kiprop, USA’s Alex Mayer, Norway’s Sondre Moen and notable debutant Grant Fisher, this promises to be an exciting race.
As race day approaches, all eyes will be on Ngetich, 25, and the elite field of distance runners looking to make their mark in New York. With a clash of world champions, record holders and rising stars, the 2026 New York Half Marathon promises exciting competition and memorable performances. Whether chasing records or racing for pride, these athletes will inspire fans and set the tone for the upcoming season.
