The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon delivered memorable performances in both elite divisions, with Sweden’s Andreas Almgren winning the men’s race in 2:06:01 and Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui capturing the women’s title in 2:24:36. American Jessica McClain also made headlines with a second-place finish in the women’s competition.
The streets of New York City provided the setting for another major day of marathon racing on Sunday, November 1, as elite athletes tackled the iconic five-borough course for the event’s 50th anniversary.
The men’s race produced a major breakthrough for Almgren, who claimed victory in a competitive international field. Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa finished second, while Lesotho’s Kamohelo Mofolo secured third.
In the women’s competition, Chepkirui returned to the top of the New York City Marathon podium. She held off McClain and defending champion Hellen Obiri in a closely contested finish.
Together, the results highlighted the international depth of the sport and provided plenty for marathon fans to celebrate.
Andreas Almgren Wins the Men’s Elite Race
Sweden’s Andreas Almgren emerged as the men’s champion, crossing the finish line in 2:06:01 to secure a significant marathon victory.
Almgren entered the race as a notable competitor making his marathon debut. His performance against an experienced field of established marathoners made the result particularly impressive.
Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa finished just 13 seconds behind the winner in 2:06:14, while Kamohelo Mofolo of Lesotho placed third in 2:06:26.
The tight margins among the leading athletes demonstrated the competitive nature of the men’s race. The top three finishers were separated by just 25 seconds, with the final podium positions decided by small differences over the 26.2-mile distance.
For Almgren, the victory represents an important milestone as he transitions into marathon competition. Winning one of the world’s most recognizable road races on his debut places him firmly in the spotlight.
Crippa also delivered a strong performance for Italy, while Mofolo earned an impressive third-place result for Lesotho.
Benson Kipruto Finishes Fourth in a Deep Men’s Field
Kenya’s Benson Kipruto entered the New York City Marathon among the leading contenders, bringing substantial experience at the highest level of marathon running.
Kipruto finished fourth in 2:06:27, just one second behind Mofolo.
The narrow margin between third and fourth illustrated how competitive the closing stages had become. Although Kipruto missed the podium, he remained within striking distance of the leading group.
Australia’s Haftu Strintzos finished fifth in 2:06:34, followed by American Zouhair Talbi in sixth at 2:06:43.
Talbi led the American men in the published top-10 results, delivering a strong performance against a field featuring athletes from several of the world’s leading distance-running nations.
Ahmed Muhumed, another American competitor, placed seventh in 2:07:08.
Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor and Japan’s Ryota Kondo recorded matching times of 2:07:09 to finish eighth and ninth, respectively. American Ryan Ford completed the top 10 in 2:07:17.
2026 New York City Marathon Men’s Elite Results:
- Andreas Almgren (Sweden) — 2:06:01
- Yemaneberhan Crippa (Italy) — 2:06:14
- Kamohelo Mofolo (Lesotho) — 2:06:26
- Benson Kipruto (Kenya) — 2:06:27
- Haftu Strintzos (Australia) — 2:06:34
- Zouhair Talbi (United States) — 2:06:43
- Ahmed Muhumed (United States) — 2:07:08
- Geoffrey Kamworor (Kenya) — 2:07:09
- Ryota Kondo (Japan) — 2:07:09
- Ryan Ford (United States) — 2:07:17
The results show the international character of the men’s elite field, with European, African, Asian, and American athletes represented among the top finishers.
Sheila Chepkirui Claims the Women’s Championship
Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui won the women’s elite race in 2:24:36, adding another New York City Marathon title to her career.
The race developed into a close contest between Chepkirui, defending champion Hellen Obiri, and American runner Jessica McClain.
Obiri made a move during the later stages, placing pressure on her rivals as the race approached its conclusion. Chepkirui responded, regaining the lead near the 40-kilometer mark.
McClain remained in contention and delivered a strong closing effort. However, Chepkirui proved difficult to catch, securing the victory in the final stretch.
The winner finished six seconds ahead of McClain, who recorded 2:24:42. Obiri completed the podium in 2:24:43, just one second behind the American.
The result gave Chepkirui another major achievement in New York and underscored her ability to compete against the strongest marathoners in the world.
Jessica McClain Delivers a Landmark Result for American Women
McClain’s second-place finish was one of the most significant American performances of the day.
Her time of 2:24:42 put her just six seconds behind Chepkirui and one second ahead of Obiri.
Finishing ahead of the defending champion was an important achievement in a field that featured several accomplished international runners.
McClain also ended a lengthy wait for an American woman to reach the New York City Marathon podium. The last American woman to finish in the top three before her was Shalane Flanagan in 2:18 (2018).
The performance establishes McClain as a major American name to follow in elite marathon racing.
Hellen Obiri Takes Third After Defending Her Title
Obiri arrived in New York following her victory in the 2025 race, when she set the women’s course record of 2:19:51.
She again demonstrated her competitiveness, remaining in the fight for victory deep into the closing miles.
However, Chepkirui’s late move and McClain’s finishing speed pushed the defending champion into third place.
Obiri crossed the line in 2:24:43, only seven seconds behind the winner.
Although she did not repeat her previous year’s success, her podium finish added another strong result to an already impressive marathon record.
2026 New York City Marathon Women’s Elite Results:
- Sheila Chepkirui (Kenya) — 2:24:36
- Jessica McClain (United States) — 2:24:42
- Hellen Obiri (Kenya) — 2:24:43
- Edna Kiplagat (Kenya) — 2:25:42
- Mercy Chelangat (Kenya) — 2:25:46
- Carrie Ellwood (United States) — 2:26:28
- Weini Kelati (United States) — 2:26:51
- Paige Wood (United States) — 2:27:29
- Viola Cheptoo (Kenya) — 2:28:34
- Fabienne Königstein (Germany) — 2:28:49
Kenyan athletes secured three of the first five places in the women’s race, while McClain led the American contingent.
Marcel Hug Wins the Men’s Wheelchair Race
The professional wheelchair divisions also produced outstanding performances at the 2026 event.
Switzerland’s Marcel Hug won the men’s wheelchair race in 1:28:14, finishing just one second ahead of American Daniel Romanchuk, who recorded 1:28:15.
Great Britain’s David Weir finished third in 1:35:38.
The narrow gap between Hug and Romanchuk made the men’s wheelchair competition one of the day’s closest finishes.
Men’s Wheelchair Top Five:
- Marcel Hug (Switzerland) — 1:28:14
- Daniel Romanchuk (United States) — 1:28:15
- David Weir (Great Britain) — 1:35:38
- Lito Anker (Netherlands) — 1:35:39
- Aaron Pike (United States) — 1:37:06
Catherine Debrunner Dominates the Women’s Wheelchair Race
Switzerland’s Catherine Debrunner won the women’s wheelchair race in 1:40:02.
American athletes Tatyana McFadden and Susannah Scaroni finished second and third, recording times of 1:48:28 and 1:48:32, respectively.
McFadden narrowly edged Scaroni by four seconds in their battle for second place.
Women’s Wheelchair Top Five:
- Catherine Debrunner (Switzerland) — 1:40:02
- Tatyana McFadden (United States) — 1:48:28
- Susannah Scaroni (United States) — 1:48:32
- Madison de Rozario (Australia) — 1:53:06
- Eden Rainbow-Cooper (Great Britain) — 1:55:51
A Special Year for the New York City Marathon
The 2026 event marked the 50th anniversary of the New York City Marathon’s five-borough course.
The route takes runners through Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan before finishing in Central Park. Its bridges, changing terrain, and enthusiastic crowds make it a distinctive challenge even for experienced marathoners.
The anniversary provided an appropriate backdrop for a day featuring an emerging marathon champion, an accomplished women’s winner, and close finishes across the professional divisions.
Almgren’s victory was a major talking point in the men’s race, while Chepkirui’s win and McClain’s runner-up finish highlighted the depth of the women’s field.
The wheelchair races also delivered exciting finishes, particularly in the men’s competition, where Hug beat Romanchuk by a single second.
Final Takeaways From the 2026 NYC Marathon
The 2026 New York City Marathon delivered a full slate of compelling results.
Andreas Almgren won the men’s elite race in 2:06:01, leading a closely contested top three that included Crippa and Mofolo.
Chepkirui captured the women’s title in 2:24:36, with McClain finishing second and Obiri taking third.
Hug and Debrunner won the men’s and women’s wheelchair races, respectively, adding to the day’s international success stories.
For marathon fans, the results offered a memorable conclusion to a landmark edition of one of the sport’s biggest annual events.
2026 New York City Marathon Champions:
- Men’s Elite: Andreas Almgren (SWE) — 2:06:01
- Women’s Elite: Sheila Chepkirui (KEN) — 2:24:36
- Men’s Wheelchair: Marcel Hug (SUI) — 1:28:14
- Women’s Wheelchair: Catherine Debrunner (SUI) — 1:40:02
Marathon Journal will continue following major marathon results, elite performances and the stories shaping distance running worldwide.
