Kenyan marathon veteran Edna Kiplagat delivered another impressive performance on the global stage, finishing fourth at the 2026 New York City Marathon despite being 46 years old.
Kiplagat clocked 2:25:42, narrowly missing out on a podium finish in a competitive women’s race won by compatriot Sheila Chepkirui.
The performance added another chapter to Kiplagat’s long-standing relationship with the New York City Marathon, where she has enjoyed considerable success throughout her career.
Edna Kiplagat’s New York City Marathon Record
Kiplagat’s success journey in the New York Marathon began in 2010, when she produced a commanding performance to win the race in 2:28:20.
She secured victory ahead of American Shalane Flanagan, who finished in 2:28:40, while fellow Kenyan Mary Keitany took third place in 2:29:01.
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Her subsequent appearances have reflected the consistency and determination that have characterised her marathon career. She placed ninth in 2013 in 2:30:04 before finishing 12th the following year in 2:36:24.
Kiplagat returned in 2017 to claim fourth place in 2:29:36, narrowly missing the podium. She repeated that position in 2022, recording 2:24:16.
She went on to finish seventh in 2023 with a time of 2:29:40 before taking 12th place in the 2024 edition in 2:29:56.
Multiple Major Marathon Titles
Beyond her success in New York, Kiplagat has built an impressive record across the world’s leading marathon competitions.
She won the London Marathon in 2014, setting a personal best of 2:20:21. Three years later, she added the Boston Marathon title to her achievements with a time of 2:21:52. She returned to the top of the Boston podium in 2021, winning in 2:25:09.
Additionally, she was runner-up at the London Marathon for three consecutive years in 2011, 2012, and 2013. She also secured second place in Chicago in 2016 and Boston in 2019.
In the Tokyo Marathon in 2016, Kiplagat finished third and repeated the achievement at the Boston Marathon in 2024.
Strong 2026 Campaign Despite Demanding Schedule
The New York City Marathon was not Kiplagat’s first major assignment in 2026. She had already competed at the Cape Town Marathon on May 24, where she finished fifth in 2:25:44.
Ethiopian runners dominated the race, with Dera Dida taking victory in 2:23:18. Mestawut Fikir followed in second place in 2:23:46, while Waganesh Mekasha completed the podium in 2:23:57.
Kiplagat’s 2025 Season Featured Abu Dhabi Marathon Podium
Her 2026 performances have followed a busy 2025 campaign that featured mixed results across road and marathon competitions.
She began the year with a difficult outing at the Boston Marathon, finishing 38th in 2:36:32. However, she quickly returned to competition, securing eighth place at the Boston 10K in 32:29.
Kiplagat subsequently finished third at the Boilermaker 15K after recording 50:07. She also placed seventh at the Beach to Beacon 10K, crossing the line in 32:28.
Her strongest marathon performance of the season came at the Abu Dhabi Marathon, where she finished second in 2:25:07. Fellow Kenyan Catherine Amanang’ole won the race in 2:21:17.
