NEW YORK — Sweden’s Andreas Almgren won the men’s race of the 2026 New York City Marathon in his debut over the 26.2-mile distance, finishing in 2:06:01 on Sunday. The Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui secured her second NYC Marathon title with a time of 2:24:36 in the women’s race.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
Almgren, the 2024 World Half Marathon champion, became the first European man in 30 years to win the NYC Marathon, finishing 13 seconds ahead of Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa (2:06:14). Lesotho’s Kamohelo Mofolo placed third (2:06:26), edging out defending champion Benson Kipruto (2:06:27). Almgren’s time was the third fastest in race history, with the top seven finishers all recording top-10 all-time course times.
In the women’s race, Chepkirui defended her title, holding off compatriot Hellen Obiri in the final stretch. American Jessica McClain completed a late surge to claim second place (2:24:42), just six seconds behind Chepkirui, while Obiri finished third (2:24:43). It marked the first U.S. podium finish in the women’s race since 2018.
Deeper Dive & Context
Men’s Race: Almgren’s Dominant Debut
Almgren’s victory capped a breakout year, which included a European half-marathon record and World Half Marathon title in September. His performance in New York followed a crowded lead pack through the race’s notoriously hilly course, where he surge past Kipruto with one mile remaining to secure the win. Almgren described the final stretch as a moment of pure exhilaration, stating, “You can’t ask for a better debut... I’m about to start crying.”
The race also featured Zouhair Talbi, who ran the fastest U.S. time in NYC Marathon history (2:06:43), finishing sixth overall. The men’s top 10 included runners from Kenya, Italy, Lesotho, Australia, Japan, and the U.S.
Women’s Race: Chepkirui’s Resilience and McClain’s Surge
Chepkirui, who also won in 2024, broke away from Obiri with about four miles remaining and maintained a narrow lead through the final stretch. Obiri, a two-time NYC Marathon champion, appeared poised for second place but was overtaken by McClain in the final 150 meters. McClain’s sprint marked the first U.S. woman to finish in the top three since 2018.
The women’s race featured a dominant Kenyan presence, with four of the top five finishers from the country. Edna Kiplagat (2:25:42) and Mercy Chelangat (2:25:46) rounded out the top five, while Carrie Ellwood (2:26:28) led the American contingent in sixth.
Event Highlights and Participation
The 50th edition of the NYC Marathon drew nearly 60,000 runners, with half of the field consisting of women. The race, which traverses all five boroughs of New York City, began in Staten Island and concluded in Central Park. Organizers noted the event’s 50-year history, highlighting its evolution from 2,000 participants in 1976 to one of the world’s most prestigious marathons.
Wheelchair divisions also saw Swiss athletes Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner claim victories, adding to their respective major marathon tallies.
Athlete Reactions and Future Plans
Almgren, reflecting on his historic debut, called it “the best possible way to start a marathon career.” He indicated plans to continue competing at the marathon distance, while Chepkirui emphasized her focus on defending her title again in 2027. McClain, meanwhile, expressed pride in her first NYC Marathon podium finish, calling it a career-defining moment.
The 2026 NYC Marathon concluded with Almgren and Chepkirui cementing their places in the event’s storied history, while setting the stage for future editions of the race.