The NYC Marathon 2026 produced a surprise winner and a world record Sunday. Sweden’s Andreas Almgren won the men’s race in his first career marathon, and Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui took the women’s title for the second time in three years.
The TCS New York City Marathon also became the first marathon with more than 60,000 finishers, New York Road Runners said. The race marked the 50th anniversary of the original five-borough course, first run on Oct. 24, 1976.
How The 2026 Route Changed
Runners started on Staten Island and crossed the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge before heading into Brooklyn, then through Queens and Manhattan. The course dipped into the Bronx, returned to Manhattan at mile 21 and finished in Central Park at 67th Street on West Drive.
The first route change in 15 years was a small one. A slightly different path through the Bronx cut the number of turns there from seven to five and eased some street closures, The Associated Press reported.
Almgren And Chepkirui Win In New York
Almgren finished in 2:06:01, 13 seconds ahead of Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa, and became the first New York winner from Sweden. Lesotho’s Kamohelo Mofolo was third in 2:06:26. Defending champion Benson Kipruto missed the podium by one second, and Zouhair Talbi was the top American in sixth at 2:06:43.
Chepkirui won in 2:24:36 after pulling away from Hellen Obiri in the final 150 meters. American Jess McClain caught Obiri just before the line to take second in 2:24:42, the best finish by an American woman since Shalane Flanagan placed third in 2018. Obiri, the defending champion and course record holder, was third in 2:24:43.
Marcel Hug Holds His Title
All four defending champions returned, but only men’s wheelchair winner Marcel Hug kept his crown. Hug won his record eighth New York title in 1:28:14, one second ahead of American Daniel Romanchuk.
Switzerland’s Catherine Debrunner won the women’s wheelchair race in 1:40:02, beating American Tatyana McFadden by 8 minutes, 26 seconds. Defending champion Susannah Scaroni, racing nearly three months after giving birth to her first child, was third in 1:48:32.
A Record Finish
NYRR counted 61,529 starters and 61,146 finishers from 153 countries, though those numbers are preliminary. The total topped the 59,830 finishers London set in April.
Runner Dies After Collapsing Near Mile 24
The day also brought a loss. Rachel Apa, 24, of Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, collapsed near mile 24 during her first marathon and later died.
Her father has said she died of rhabdomyolysis, but the city’s medical examiner hasn’t made a final determination, CBS News reported. “We are deeply saddened by Rachel’s passing following running in Sunday’s race,” NYRR said in a statement.
What’s Next
The 2027 race is set for Nov. 7, according to The Running Channel. Fans planning ahead can watch from the sidewalks at no cost along most of the course, from mile 3 to mile 26. Grandstand seats near the finish require a ticket.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
