The 2026 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon delivered thrilling racing and fast times, confirming its status as one of the premier early-season road races. The course took runners from Brooklyn across the East River, through Times Square, and into Central Park for a dramatic finish, while the elite fields showcased both international stars and rising American talent.
Wildschutt Edges Talbi in Men’s Race
South Africa’s Adriaan Wildschutt won the men’s race in 59:30, narrowly holding off Moroccan-born American Zouhir Talbi (59:41).
Olympic track medalist Grant Fisher made his half-marathon debut, finishing 14th in 1:00:53, a performance that demonstrates his potential in longer road races. Kenyan athletes Alex Masai and Patrick Kiprop also ran strong races, finishing in the top 20.
Men’s Top 10 Finishers
| Rank | Name | Club/Sponsor | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adriaan Wildschutt | HOKA NAZ Elite | 59:30 |
| 2 | Zouhir Talbi | — | 59:41 |
| 3 | Gulveer Singh | — | 59:42 |
| 4 | Alex Maier | Puma | 59:51 |
| 5 | Peter Lynch | Puma | 59:52 |
| 6 | Patrick Dever | Puma | 59:56 |
| 7 | Rory Linkletter | Puma | 1:00:00 |
| 8 | Patrick Kiprop | On Athletics Club | 1:00:01 |
| 9 | Joe Klecker | On Athletics Club | 1:00:02 |
| 10 | Shunsuke Kuwata | Komazawa University | 1:00:13 |
Obiri Dominates Women’s Race
Kenya’s Hellen Obiri won in 1:06:33, setting a new course record, with Sharon Lokedi (1:07:10) and Megan Keith (1:07:13) completing the podium.
American athletes delivered strong performances, including Emily Sisson (1:09:06), Dakotah Popehn (1:10:06), Lindsay Flanagan (1:14:02), and Stephanie Bruce (1:13:23). Kenyan runner Agnes Ngetich (1:10:25) was also among the top finishers, highlighting Kenya’s continued strength in distance running.
Women’s Top 10 Finishers
| Rank | Name | Club/Sponsor | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hellen Obiri | On Athletics Club | 1:06:33 |
| 2 | Sharon Lokedi | Under Armour Dark Sky Distance | 1:07:10 |
| 3 | Megan Keith | New Balance | 1:07:13 |
| 4 | Diane Van Es | ASICS | 1:08:21 |
| 5 | Fentaye Belayneh | adidas | 1:08:22 |
| 6 | Emily Sisson | New Balance | 1:09:06 |
| 7 | Amanda Vestri | Brooks | 1:09:22 |
| 8 | Annie Frisbie | Puma | 1:09:25 |
| 9 | Susanna Sullivan | Brooks | 1:09:38 |
| 10 | Emily Venters | NIKE | 1:09:46 |
Men’s 2026 NYC Half Marathon Results Key Takeaways:
- The men’s race featured multiple runners under 1:00, with Wildschutt’s late surge proving decisive.
- Obiri’s course record demonstrates her tactical mastery and finishing strength.
- American athletes including Grant Fisher, Emily Sisson, Dakotah Popehn, Lindsay Flanagan, and Stephanie Bruce performed strongly, while Kenyans Alex Masai and Agnes Ngetich reinforced their country’s dominance in distance running.
- The NYC Half’s rolling course and bridge climbs reward even pacing and late-race surges, providing a blueprint for spring marathon preparations.
