Mutiso, Chepkirui set to defend Great North Run titles

Mutiso delivered a commanding performance at last year's race, storming to the men's title in 1hour 00:52seconds

This year's Great North Run will also serve as a key tune-up for Mutiso as he builds towards the Valencia Marathon in December, where a mouthwatering showdown awaits against compatriot John Korir and Ethiopia's world half marathon record holder Yomif Kejelcha.

Chepkirui, meanwhile, will be hoping the race provides the perfect test ahead of her New York City Marathon campaign on November 1.

Meanwhile, the second-fastest woman in history over the half marathon distance, Agnes Ng’etich, is set to chase another major accolade as she leads a formidable Kenyan contingent at the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon on October 18.

Ng’etich, 25, heads to Japan as one of the finest road runners of her generation, carrying the Kenyan national record of 1:03:04, which she set during her dominant victory in Valencia in 2024.

She will face strong competition—and receive solid Kenyan backing—from compatriots Rebecca Mwangi, the 2025 national 5,000m champion and reigning Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon champion, alongside Fridah Ndinda and Tabitha Njeri.