Sharon Lokedi, Hellen Obiri and Other Champions to Race in the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon

The 2023 TCS New York City Marathon will bring about the meeting of the best-of-the-best as four champions will compete against each other in this race for the first time in history. 

Today (August 9, 2023) New York Road Runners (NYRR) released the announcement that Sharon Lokedi, Hellen Obiri, Brigid Kosgei, and Peres Jepchirchir will headline the women’s professional athlete field at the 2023 New York City Marathon on November 5. 

“The history of the TCS New York City Marathon has been defined by remarkable matchups and nail-biting finishes,” says NYRR General Manager of Professional Athletes Sam Grotewold. “Fans love head-to-head racing because it’s something that’s easy to understand, and translates across every race course. Four of the greatest champions in women’s marathoning meeting in New York on November 5 will make for one of the most exciting days in the sport.”

The Champs  

Sharon Lokedi is the defending TCS New York City Marathon champion, finishing her debut 2022 marathon in 2:23:23. This made her the eighth athlete to win a race in their marathon debut. Lokedi intended to run the Boston Marathon this past April, but withdrew from the race due to an injury. She’s been getting back into training and aims to be a fierce competitor come November. 

Hellen Obiri is not only a two-time Olympic medalist in the 5000 meters (in 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo) but she’s a seven-time world champion who won the 2023 Boston Marathon women’s race after initially being a late entry. Obiri finished in 2:21:38 – the fourth-fastest time in Boston history. 

Brigid Kosgei, the world-record holder for the Chicago Marathon, will make her New York City Marathon debut this year. She’s also taken home the win at the Tokyo Marathon in 2022 and  back-to-back London Marathons in 2019 and 2020.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About the 2022 New York City Marathon

And last but certainly not least, Peres Jepchirchir caps off this dynamite quartet of competition. Jepchirchir is a trifecta champion; the only athlete in the world to win the Olympic marathon, the New York City Marathon, and the Boston Marathon. She was a highly-anticipated competitor for last year’s NYC Marathon, but withdrew two weeks before the race due to a hip injury. 

While the full field isn’t available, the current roster is one of the more competitive in recent memory, with more returning champions and marathon major winners than ever before. 

The 2023 TCS New York City Marathon will be streamed on the ESPN app, YouTube, and ABC Channel 7 from 6 a.m.-10 a.m. ET.