World Cross champion Ng'etich thrown into Obiri-Lokedi rivalry in New York

Reigning world cross country champion Agnes Jebet Ng’etich will be thrown straight into one of the fiercest rivalries in women’s road running when she lines up against Hellen Obiri and Sharon Lokedi at the New York City Half Marathon on Sunday , March 15.

Ng’etich heads to the streets of New York in red-hot form and could disrupt the growing Obiri–Lokedi rivalry that has dominated the marathon circuit over the past year.

The 25-year-old Kenyan owns the second fastest half-marathon time in history after clocking a blistering 1:03:04 in Valencia in 2024, a mark only bettered by Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey, who holds the world record of 1:02:52 set in Valencia Half Marathon in 2021.

Despite limited appearances over the 21km distance, Ng’etich has built a reputation for fearless front-running and arrives in New York riding strong early-season momentum. She opened the year by capturing the world title at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships before following it with another commanding run at the Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour in Eldoret.

But standing in her way are two proven champions who know the New York course well.

Two-time New York City Marathon champion Hellen Obiri is no stranger to the half marathon in the Big Apple. Obiri claimed the 2023 New York City Half Marathon title in 1:07:21, powering clear of Ethiopia’s Senbere Teferi in the closing stages.

Her clash with fellow Kenyan Sharon Lokedi has grown into one of the most compelling rivalries in women’s distance running.

Lokedi arrives as the defending champion after storming to victory last year in 1:07:04, holding off American Fiona O’Keeffe and Britain’s Calli Hauger‑Thackery.

The pair also split victories in their marathon battles last season. Lokedi edged Obiri at the Boston Marathon in 2:17:22, before Obiri struck back months later to win the New York City Marathon in 2:19:51.