New York Road Runners (NYRR) has officially released the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon elite field. The marathon will be taking place Sunday, November 1. Marking the landmark 50th anniversary of the iconic five-borough course—first introduced in 1976 to celebrate the U.S. Bicentennial—this year’s race brings together 40 Olympians and Paralympians, 25 global medalists, and 22 national record holders across four divisions.
Last year’s race set a global benchmark with 59,219 finishers, and 2026 promises equal intensity. To commemorate the 50-year legacy of the five-borough layout, NYRR will welcome back race legends throughout race week, including 1976 men’s champion Bill Rodgers and Danielle Mika Nagel, daughter of two-time champion Miki Gorman.
Women’s Open Division: Obiri Defends Against Record-Breaking Field
Defending champion Hellen Obiri (KEN) returns after shattering the 22-year-old course record last November in 2:19:51. Obiri enters in peak form following a runner-up finish at the London Marathon (2:15:53 PB) and a victory at the United Airlines NYC Half.
She faces five women with personal bests under 2:20, led by three-time Olympic champion Sifan Hassan (NED), whose 2:13:44 personal best is the fastest in the field. Hassan returns to 26.2 after capturing gold in the marathon and bronze in both the 5,000m and 10,000m at the Paris 2024 Games.
Key Contenders:
- Sheila Chepkirui (KEN): The 2024 NYC champion and podium finisher returns.
- Gotytom Gebreslase (ETH): Two-time World Championships medalist.
- Edna Kiplagat (KEN): Masters course record holder (2:24:16) and former winner in NYC, Boston, and London.
- Julia Paternain (URU): The 2025 World Championships bronze medalist.
American Debut & Contenders:
American half-marathon record holder Weini Kelati makes her highly anticipated marathon debut. Kelati has dominated local roads, finishing first or second in four of six NYRR appearances. She joins a formidable U.S. roster including Annie Frisbie (5th at NYC 2025), Jess McClain (American course record holder in Boston), and Fiona O’Keeffe (2024 U.S. Olympic Trials champion).
Men’s Open Division: Kipruto Heads Battle of Major Champions
Defending champion Benson Kipruto (KEN) headlines after winning last year’s race by three hundredths of a second—the closest finish in event history. Kipruto, the 2024 Olympic bronze medalist, holds victories across four Abbott World Marathon Majors (Boston, Chicago, Tokyo, NYC) and ran 2:02:16 to place third in Boston earlier this year.
Kipruto faces two-time NYC champion Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) and 2024 winner Abdi Nageeye (NED).
International Threats & Debuts:
- Deresa Geleta (ETH): 2025 Tokyo runner-up (2:02:38 PB).
- Huseydin Mohamed Esa (ETH): 2026 Cape Town champion and Boston runner-up.
- Andreas Almgren (SWE): European 10,000m champion making his marathon debut.
- Patrick Dever (GBR): 3rd-place finisher in his NYC debut last year.
U.S. Headliners:
The domestic men are led by American marathon record holder Conner Mantz (2:04:43) and Zouhair Talbi, who clocked an American course-record 2:03:45 at Boston in April. They are supported by top Americans Joel Reichow (5th at NYC 2025), Joe Klecker, and two-time Olympic medalist Paul Chelimo.
Wheelchair Divisions: Hug & Debrunner Chase History
- Men’s Division: Seven-time champion and course record holder Marcel Hug (SUI) leads the field after sweeping Tokyo, Boston, and London this season. He faces 2025 podium finishers Tomoki Suzuki (JPN) and David Weir (GBR), alongside three-time NYC winner Daniel Romanchuk (USA), who returns after missing last year’s race due to injury.
- Women’s Division: World record holder Catherine Debrunner (SUI) and 22-time Paralympic medalist Tatyana McFadden (USA) head the entries. McFadden seeks a record-breaking sixth NYC title. They will be challenged by reigning NYC Half and Boston champion Eden Rainbow-Cooper (GBR) and 2021 champion Madison de Rozario (AUS).
Top 15 Elite Entrants Quick Reference
Men’s Open Division
| Athlete | Country | Residence | Personal Best |
| Benson Kipruto | KEN | Kapsabet, Kenya | 2:02:16 |
| Deresa Geleta | ETH | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | 2:02:38 |
| CyBrian Kotut | KEN | Kapsabet, Kenya | 2:03:22 |
| Zouhair Talbi | USA | Colorado Springs, Colo. | 2:03:45 |
| Abdi Nageeye | NED | Nijmegen, Netherlands | 2:04:20 NR |
| Geoffrey Kamworor | KEN | Kaptagat, Kenya | 2:04:23 |
| Iliass Aouani | ITA | Ferrara, Italy | 2:04:26 NR |
| Huseydin Mohamed Esa | ETH | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | 2:04:39 |
| Conner Mantz | USA | Provo, Utah | 2:04:43 NR |
| Kengo Suzuki | JPN | Uwajima, Japan | 2:04:56 |
| Yemaneberhan Crippa | ITA | Trento, Italy | 2:05:18 |
| Edward Cheserek | KEN | Iten, Kenya | 2:05:24 |
| Ryota Kondo | JPN | Nagasaki, Japan | 2:05:39 |
| Ryan Ford | USA | Boulder, Colo. | 2:05:46 |
| Joe Klecker | USA | Boulder, Colo. | 2:05:56 |
Women’s Open Division
| Athlete | Country | Residence | Personal Best |
| Sifan Hassan | NED | Park City, Utah | 2:13:44 NR |
| Hellen Obiri | KEN | Boulder, Colo. | 2:15:53 |
| Sheila Chepkirui | KEN | Kericho, Kenya | 2:17:29 |
| Gotytom Gebreslase | ETH | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | 2:18:11 |
| Viola Cheptoo | KEN | Eldoret, Kenya | 2:19:05 |
| Edna Kiplagat | KEN | Longmont, Colo. | 2:19:50 |
| Mercy Chelangat | KEN | Flagstaff, Ariz. | 2:20:30 |
| Jessica McClain | USA | Scottsdale, Ariz. | 2:20:49 |
| Annie Frisbie | USA | Hopkins, Minn. | 2:22:00 |
| Fiona O’Keeffe | USA | Raleigh, N.C. | 2:22:10 |
| Fabienne Königstein | GER | Magdeburg, Germany | 2:22:17 |
| Carrie Ellwood | USA | Boulder, Colo. | 2:22:53 |
| Erika Kemp | USA | Providence, R.I. | 2:22:56 |
| Giovanna Epis | ITA | Legnano, Italy | 2:23:46 |
| Rie Kawauchi | JPN | Tokyo, Japan | 2:24:16 |
Wheelchair Divisions
| Athlete | Division | Country | Personal Best |
| Marcel Hug | Men’s | SUI | 1:15:33 NR |
| Tomoki Suzuki | Men’s | JPN | 1:18:37 NR |
| Aaron Pike | Men’s | USA | 1:20:02 |
| Johnboy Smith | Men’s | GBR | 1:20:05 |
| Daniel Romanchuk | Men’s | USA | 1:20:37 |
| Luo Xingchuan | Men’s | CHN | 1:21:55 |
| David Weir | Men’s | GBR | 1:22:12 |
| Patrick Monahan | Men’s | IRL | 1:22:23 |
| Miguel Jimenez-Vergara | Men’s | USA | 1:22:24 |
| Hermin Garic | Men’s | USA | 1:24:18 |
| Tatyana McFadden | Women’s | USA | 1:31:30 |
| Catherine Debrunner | Women’s | SUI | 1:34:16 WR |
| Eden Rainbow-Cooper | Women’s | GBR | 1:34:17 |
| Madison de Rozario | Women’s | AUS | 1:38:11 NR |
| Vanessa de Souza | Women’s | BRA | 1:39:55 |
With world record holders, global medalists, and rising stars converging on Staten Island this November, the 50th anniversary edition is poised to deliver one of the most thrilling chapters in TCS New York City Marathon history.
