Hellen Obiri delivered another outstanding performance in the United States, breaking the course record to win the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon in New York.
The Kenyan long-distance star clocked 1 hour, 6 minutes and 33 seconds, smashing the previous course record of 1:07:04 set in 2025 by fellow Kenyan Sharon Lokedi.
Obiri stayed with the leading pack during the early stages of the race and was running second at the 10-kilometre mark alongside Agnes Ngetich and Lokedi. She then made a decisive move approaching the 15-kilometre mark, opening a 30-second lead which she extended to 39 seconds by 20 kilometres before sealing victory and the new course record.
Lokedi finished second in 1:07:10, while Britain’s Megan Keith came third in 1:07:13. American runner Emily Sisson was the top local finisher, placing sixth in 1:09:06.
In the men’s race, South Africa’s Adriaan Wildschutt won the title in 59 minutes and 30 seconds. Wildschutt stayed within the leading pack during the opening 10 kilometres before making a strong move midway through the race and taking the lead at 15 kilometres.
He built an 11-second advantage at 20 kilometres over American runner Zouhair Talbi and maintained the lead to the finish line.
Talbi finished second in 59:41, while India’s Gulveer Singh secured third place in 59:42.
Meanwhile, two-time Olympic medallist Grant Fisher made an impressive half-marathon debut, finishing 14th overall in 1:00:53, one of the fastest debut times ever recorded by an American-born athlete.
