Andreas Almgren of Sweden had never run a marathon before Sunday. By the time he reached Central Park, he was the champion of the 2026 New York City Marathon. The 31-year-old won the men’s race on Sunday, November 1, in 2 hours, 6 minutes and 1 second, pulling away from a crowded lead pack in the final miles of his first try at the 26.2-mile distance.
On the women’s side, Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui won in 2:24:36 to claim her second New York title in three years. American Jess McClain finished just six seconds back in second place, giving U.S. fans a reason to cheer on a day when nearly 60,000 runners were expected to start the race, according to Marathon Handbook.
How Almgren won his first marathon
For most of the morning, the men’s race stayed tightly bunched. Marathon Handbook reported that the leaders passed halfway in 1:04:01 and that ten men reached the 35-kilometer mark in 1:45:33, separated by less than a second. American runners Zouhair Talbi and Conner Mantz, along with Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor, took turns setting the pace.
Then Almgren went to work. He covered the final 7.2 kilometers in 20:27, according to Marathon Handbook, and Yahoo Sports reported that he ran his last mile in about 4 minutes and 30 seconds. His second half was more than two minutes faster than his first. The Independent wrote that the Swede had “timed his surge perfectly.”
Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa, who won the Paris Marathon in April, finished second in 2:06:14. Kamohelo Mofolo of Lesotho was third in 2:06:26 on his 21st birthday, cutting more than two minutes from his personal best. Defending champion Benson Kipruto of Kenya faded late and finished fourth in 2:06:27, which was still almost two minutes faster than his winning time last year.
Almgren’s time was the fastest winning mark in New York since Tamirat Tola set the course record of 2:04:58 in 2023, and it was only four seconds off the Swedish national record, Marathon Handbook reported. His victory capped a remarkable season. He won the European Championships 10,000 meters in August and the world half marathon title in Copenhagen in September, setting a European record of 58:06 there.
A close finish in the women’s race
The women’s race also came down to the last few miles. Yahoo Sports reported that four American women were at the front around the 15K mark before the Kenyan runners took control. With about two miles to go, Chepkirui and defending champion Hellen Obiri moved ahead, and Chepkirui pulled clear in the closing stretch.
McClain, running strong to the end, passed Obiri in the final meters to take second in 2:24:42. Obiri, who set the course record last year, finished third, one second behind McClain. According to Marathon Handbook, McClain became the first American woman to finish on the New York podium since 2018.
It was a strong day overall for U.S. women. Carrie Ellwood placed sixth, Weini Kelati was seventh in her marathon debut and Paige Wood finished eighth, giving the United States four of the top eight spots.
Americans in the men’s race
- Zouhair Talbi was the top American man, sixth in 2:06:43. He led at more checkpoints than any other runner.
- Ahmed Muhumed finished seventh in 2:07:08 in his first marathon.
- Ryan Ford was 10th in 2:07:17.
- Conner Mantz, the American record holder, was at the front at 35K but finished 11th in 2:07:27.
Swiss stars sweep the wheelchair races
Switzerland’s Marcel Hug won the men’s wheelchair race in 1:28:14 for his eighth New York title, holding off American Daniel Romanchuk by about one second. Yahoo Sports noted that the two have traded wins here since 2016. Britain’s David Weir was third.
Catherine Debrunner, also of Switzerland, won the women’s wheelchair race in 1:40:02 for her second New York title, finishing several minutes ahead of the field. Americans Tatyana McFadden and Susannah Scaroni were second and third.
A milestone year for the race
This year’s race marked the 50th anniversary of the race’s five-borough course. Marathon Handbook reported that the Bronx portion of the route was changed for the first time since 2011.
Why it matters for families
The New York City Marathon is one of the few major sporting events where world-class athletes and everyday people share the same course on the same day. Almgren’s win is a good reminder for young athletes that years of training at shorter distances can prepare you for something new. And McClain’s late push past a two-time champion shows that it pays to keep trying all the way to the finish line. For families who want to get moving together, many communities host short fun runs and walks through the fall and holiday season, which can be an easy first step.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, “2026 NYC Marathon: Andreas Almgren wins marathon debut, Sheila Chepkirui captures another win on women’s side” (November 1, 2026); The Independent (via Yahoo Sports), “New York City Marathon 2026 results and times as Andreas Almgren triumphs in impressive debut” (November 1, 2026); Marathon Handbook, “Andreas Almgren Wins the 2026 New York City Marathon in His Debut” (November 1, 2026); Marathon Handbook, “2026 New York City Marathon live coverage” (November 1, 2026)
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