Kenyan long-distance runner Sheila Chepkirui has won the women's title at the 2026 New York City Marathon, reclaiming the crown she first secured two years ago after a closely contested race against some of the world's leading marathon athletes.
Chepkirui completed the 42.195-kilometre course in two hours, 24 minutes and 36 seconds on Sunday, November 1, pulling away from defending champion and fellow Kenyan Hellen Obiri in the closing stages.
American Jessica McClain finished second in 2:24:42, overtaking Obiri near the finish line.
Obiri, the 2025 champion and course-record holder, placed third in 2:24:43.
The victory gives Chepkirui her second New York City Marathon title in three years, reinforcing her standing among the world's leading distance runners.
A dramatic finish in Central Park
The women's race developed into a contest between several experienced athletes before Chepkirui and Obiri moved clear of the leading group during the final miles.
Obiri remained close to Chepkirui as the runners approached Central Park.
However, Chepkirui produced a decisive acceleration in the final 150 metres to secure victory.
McClain was also gaining ground rapidly and overtook Obiri in the final strides to finish second.
Only seven seconds separated the three leading women.
The result was particularly significant for McClain, who became the first American woman to finish on the New York City Marathon podium since 2018.
Chepkirui later said patience had been important during the closing stages, particularly because of Obiri's strength and experience.
A second New York title for Chepkirui
Chepkirui previously won the event in 2024.
She returned in 2025 but finished third as Obiri claimed victory with a new course record.
Her latest success represents a return to the top of one of international distance running's most prestigious competitions.
The New York City Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors series, which includes several of the sport's most internationally recognised races.
The event is known for its challenging course, large crowds and demanding route through New York City's five boroughs.
For Chepkirui, the result adds another major achievement to a career that has included international success across road racing and track competition.
It also continues Kenya's long-standing prominence in elite distance running.
Sweden's Almgren wins men's race on debut
The men's competition produced another notable result as Sweden's Andreas Almgren won in his first competitive marathon.
Almgren completed the course in 2:06:01, finishing 13 seconds ahead of Italy's Yemaneberhan Crippa.
Lesotho's Kamohelo Mofolo placed third in 2:06:26, while defending champion Benson Kipruto of Kenya finished fourth.
Almgren entered the race with a strong background in shorter-distance competition, including international success in the half marathon.
His victory was particularly impressive because he was competing over the full marathon distance for the first time.
The Swedish runner remained with the leading group before making his decisive move during the closing mile.
His finishing time was the third-fastest in the event's history.
He also became the first European man in approximately three decades to win the race.
African athletes remain prominent
African runners featured prominently across the men's and women's competitions.
Kenya claimed first and third place in the women's race through Chepkirui and Obiri.
Lesotho's Mofolo also achieved a podium finish in the men's event.
The performances reflect the continued international strength of African distance running.
Athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia and other African countries have been major contenders in the world's leading marathons for decades.
Their success has helped shape the development of elite road racing and inspired younger generations of athletes.
Sunday's result further demonstrates the competitive depth of the sport across the continent.
Wheelchair champions crowned
The event also featured major wheelchair competitions.
Switzerland's Marcel Hug won the men's wheelchair race for the eighth time, defeating American Daniel Romanchuk in a close finish.
Hug recorded a time of 1:28:14.
His compatriot Catherine Debrunner won the women's wheelchair race in 1:40:02, producing the second-fastest time in the event's history.
American Tatyana McFadden finished second, while Susannah Scaroni placed third.
The wheelchair events remain an important part of the New York City Marathon's international programme, attracting leading para-athletes from around the world.
A landmark year for New York's marathon
The 2026 race marked the 50th running of the marathon through New York City's five boroughs.
The event originally began in 1970 as a race held entirely within Central Park.
It expanded to the five-borough route in 1976, becoming one of the city's most recognised annual sporting occasions.
Approximately 60,000 runners started Sunday's event, representing more than 140 countries.
The course underwent a minor adjustment in the Bronx, reducing the number of turns in that section.
The marathon continues to attract elite athletes, recreational runners and spectators from around the world.
What the victories mean
Chepkirui's second New York title strengthens her reputation as one of the most accomplished women competing in major road races.
Her performance against Obiri and McClain demonstrates her ability to deliver under pressure against high-level opposition.
For Almgren, victory on his marathon debut establishes him as a serious contender in future major events.
His performance suggests that his success over shorter distances can translate to the marathon, although future races will provide a clearer picture of his consistency.
The results also highlight the international character of elite distance running, with athletes from Kenya, Sweden, Italy, Lesotho, the United States and Switzerland among the leading finishers.
For African sport, Chepkirui's victory provides another major international achievement and reinforces the continent's enduring influence on global athletics.
