Violah Cheptoo Lagat, the younger sister to Kenyan-born American megastar, Benard Lagat, will line up against Hellen Obiri at the 2022 New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 6, 2022.
Cheptoo, who posted a brilliant display in the 2021 edition, will be seeking to improve her performance in the American city.
The 33-year-old registered a second-place finish last year behind her compatriot Peres Jepchirchir and will return to New York for the second time in her career.
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Jepchirchir, the current world record holder for the women's only Half Marathon, clocked 2:22.39 to reach the tape ahead of Violah.
The latter crossed the finishing line in 2:22.44 to narrowly defeat Ethiopia's Ababel Yeshaneh, who timed 2:22.52.
Peres Jepchirchir, who was the favourite to win the race, withdrew after suffering an injury.
Although Benard switched his allegiance, Violah maintained his Kenyan citizenship and has represented the country in various competitions, including the 2016 Olympic Games and the 2015 World Athletics Championship.
Cheptoo has been preparing for the road race in Iten, Elgeyo-Marakwet County and has only participated in two Abbott World Marathon Majors events.
Apart from New York, Cheptoo also graced the 2022 Boston Marathon staged in April, where she clocked 2:23.47 to finish 6th.
Her main competitor in New York will be Hellen Obiri, who will make her full marathon debut on Sunday, having switched from track to road races after the 2022 World Athletics Championship held in Oregon.
Some of the other athletes who will compete in New York include the reigning world champion Gotytom Gebreslase, Ednah Kiplagat and United States international Keria D'Amato.
Kenyan-born Israel runner Lonah Chemtai Salpeter will also be in the mix. Salpeter has the fastest personal best of 2:17.45 among the female participants.
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