Almgren Wins on His Marathon Debut in New York as Chepkirui Takes a Second Title

Sweden's Andreas Almgren won the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1, in 2:06:01, on his first attempt at the distance. Kenya's Sheila Chepkirui won the women's race in 2:24:36, her second New York title after 2024. The race marked the 50th anniversary of the five borough course, which runs from Staten Island through Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan to a finish in Central Park. The official results list more than 61,000 runners. -----------------------------------------------

The men's race

Almgren, 31, arrived in New York as the reigning World Athletics half marathon champion, having won the title in Copenhagen in September in 58:06. He also won the European 10,000 meter title in Birmingham earlier this year. In a tight finish, he timed his late surge well and crossed the line 13 seconds ahead of Italy's Yemaneberhan Crippa (2:06:14). Lesotho's Kamohelo Mofolo, 21, took third in 2:06:26, so the top three were separated by only 25 seconds.

Defending champion Benson Kipruto of Kenya finished fourth in 2:06:27, one second off the podium. Australia's Haftu Strintzos was fifth. Zouhair Talbi, the fastest American marathoner ever, was the top American in sixth in 2:06:43. Japan's Ryota Kondo was seventh in 2:07:08, and Ahmed Muhumed of the United States and Geoffrey Kamworor of Kenya, a former champion here, were eighth and ninth, both timed at 2:07:09. Ryan Ford was tenth. American record holder Conner Mantz finished 11th in 2:07:27, and the Netherlands' Abdi Nageeye was 13th.

The women's race

The women's race came down to the final miles. Defending champion Hellen Obiri made a late move, and Chepkirui responded around the 40 kilometer mark to take back the lead. She won by six seconds over Jessica McClain of the United States, who finished strongly in 2:24:42. Obiri was third, one second behind McClain in 2:24:43. McClain's second place is reported as the first podium finish by an American woman in New York since Shalane Flanagan's win in 2018.

Edna Kiplagat, the 2010 champion, was fourth in 2:25:42. Kenyan women took three of the first five places, and Americans Carrie Ellwood and Weini Kelati finished sixth and seventh, with Kelati making her marathon debut. No course record was set. Obiri still holds the women's mark of 2:19:51 from last year.

The wheelchair races

Switzerland's Marcel Hug won the men's wheelchair race in 1:28:14, one second ahead of the United States' Daniel Romanchuk. In the women's race, Catherine Debrunner of Switzerland won in 1:40:02, more than eight minutes ahead of Tatyana McFadden of the United States, who edged Susannah Scaroni for second by four seconds.

Top 20: men

\| 13 | Abdi Nageeye | Netherlands | 2:07:58 | \| 14 | Aidan Troutner | USA | 2:08:54 | \| 15 | Joe Klecker | USA | 2:09:28 | \| 16 | Joel Reichow | USA | 2:09:43 | \| 17 | Patrick Dever | Great Britain | 2:09:53 | \| 18 | Patrick Kiprop | Kenya | 2:10:01 | \| 19 | Peter Lynch | Ireland | 2:10:03 | \| 20 | Merga Gemeda | USA | 2:10:32 |

Top 10: women

Top 5: men's wheelchair

\| Rank | Athlete | Nation | Time |

\| 1 | Marcel Hug | Switzerland | 1:28:14 |

\| 2 | D. Romanchuk | United States | 1:28:15 |

\| 3 | David Weir | Great Britain | 1:35:38 |

\| 4 | Lito Anker | Netherlands | 1:35:39 |

\| 5 | Aaron Pike | United States | 1:37:06 |

Top 5: women's wheelchair