NYRR Media Center

Sheika Chepkirui made an unforgettable TCS New York City Marathon debut in 2024, breaking the tape in 2:24:35. It marked her first Abbott World Marathon Majors win and she led a historic Kenyan sweep, the first time since 1978 that a single country had won gold, silver, and bronze in the women’s open division. In March, Chepkirui won the Nagoya Women’s Marathon, clocking 2:20:40.

This year, Chepkirui will defend her TCS New York City Marathon title after she finished seventh at the B.A.A. 10K Boston, and first at the Great North Run half marathon in 1:09:32.

Chepkirui, a top five finisher at both the Berlin and London Marathons, made her New York Road Runners racing debut in June 2024, finishing third at the Mastercard New York Mini 10K. 

Chepkirui finished second in her first marathon in Valencia, Spain in 2022, where she also got her personal best. She began competing in track competitions in 2012 shortly after she joined the Kenya Defense Forces. She currently lives with her daughter and her husband, who works as a science teacher.