Kenyan athletes Alexander Munyao Mutiso and Sheila Chepkirui are set to return to England on September 13 as they bid to successfully defend their Great North Run titles. Mutiso will be looking to replicate his impressive performance from last year’s edition, where he secured the men’s title in 1:00:52.
The race will also form part of Mutiso’s preparations for the Valencia Marathon in December, where he is expected to face compatriot John Korir and Ethiopia’s world half marathon record holder Yomif Kejelcha. Chepkirui, meanwhile, will use the Great North Run as an important build-up event ahead of her New York City Marathon campaign on November 1.
Ng’etich Leads Kenyan Charge in Tokyo
Elsewhere, Agnes Ng’etich is set to headline a strong Kenyan field at the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon on October 18. The 25-year-old heads to Japan as one of the leading names in women’s road racing and holds the Kenyan national half marathon record of 1:03:04, set during her victory in Valencia in 2024.
Ng’etich will face a competitive field while enjoying the support of fellow Kenyans, including Rebecca Mwangi, the 2025 national 5,000m champion and reigning Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon winner. She will also be joined by Fridah Ndinda and Tabitha Njeri as Kenya targets another strong showing in the prestigious road race. With Munyao and Chepkirui defending titles in England and Ng’etich leading Kenya’s challenge in Japan, the coming road-racing calendar promises plenty of action for Kenyan athletics fans.
