New York City Marathon 2026 Results: Andreas Almgren Wins in His Debut in 2:06:01, Sheila Chepkirui Reclaims the Women's Crown in 2:24:36
Neither defending champion held the title. Sweden's Almgren jogged across the line waving to the crowd in his first marathon, and in the women's race Jess McClain sprinted past Hellen Obiri in the final seconds to take second.
Sweden's Andreas Almgren won the New York City Marathon in his debut over the distance on Sunday, finishing in 2:06:01, while Kenya's Sheila Chepkirui took back the women's crown in 2:24:36, Reuters reported. Neither of last year's champions defended the title.
Almgren, the half-marathon world champion, hung with a crowded lead pack over the hilly five-borough course, pulled away from defending champion Benson Kipruto with one mile left, and had built such a lead by the final metres that he jogged across the line waving his arms to the crowd, Reuters reported. 'You can't ask for a better debut,' Almgren said. Yemaneberhan Crippa of Italy was second, 13 seconds back in 2:06:14, Kamohelo Mofolo of Lesotho third in 2:06:26, and Kipruto fourth in 2:06:27.
The women's finish was the day's drama. Chepkirui, the 2024 champion, and defending champion Hellen Obiri broke away with about four miles to go, and Chepkirui crossed alone in 2:24:36. 'The last mile was really tricky and I had to be patient because I knew Hellen was really strong,' she said. Obiri appeared set for second until American Jess McClain sprinted past her in the final moments — McClain second in 2:24:42, Obiri third a second behind in 2:24:43. The elite results close the race-day file this station opened this morning, when nearly 60,000 runners took the five-borough course on its 50th anniversary.
