Swede Almgren Wins New York City Marathon on Debut as Chepkirui Reclaims Women's Crown

Andreas Almgren of Sweden won the men's race at the New York City Marathon in his marathon debut [1][3]. Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya won the women's race for the second time [1][2][3]. Almgren finished in 2 hours, 6 minutes and 1 second [1][3]. Chepkirui crossed the line in 2 hours, 24 minutes and 36 seconds [1][2][3].

Marathon runners sprinting toward the finish line in Central Park — Illustration generated for this story by Galactic News

Almgren pulled away from Yemaneberhan Crippa of Italy in the final mile [1]. Crippa finished 13 seconds behind Almgren [1][3]. Kamohelo Mofolo of Lesotho took third place in 2 hours, 6 minutes and 26 seconds [4]. Defending champion Benson Kipruto of Kenya finished fourth in 2 hours, 6 minutes and 27 seconds [4]. Almgren became the first Swedish runner to win the New York City Marathon [3]. He also became the first Swedish winner of any major marathon [3].

Key facts

Almgren was making his debut over 26.2 miles after a successful career at shorter distances [1]. He won bronze in the 10,000 metres at the 2025 World Championships [3]. He is the first runner to win the New York City Marathon on debut since Gebregziabher Gebremariam of Ethiopia in 2010 [6]. Almgren took home 100,000 dollars for the victory [6]. Zouhair Talbi was the top American man in sixth place in 2 hours, 6 minutes and 43 seconds [3].

Chepkirui, who also won the race in 2024, pulled away from Hellen Obiri in the final 150 metres [1]. American Jessica McClain finished second in 2 hours, 24 minutes and 42 seconds [1][2][3]. McClain passed Obiri in the final few strides [1]. Obiri, the defending champion and a two-time winner, finished third in 2 hours, 24 minutes and 43 seconds [2][3]. McClain became the first American woman to finish in the top three in New York since Shalane Flanagan in 2018 [1][3].

Context

Chepkirui and Obiri broke away from the lead pack with about four miles to go [2]. Obiri ran on Chepkirui's heels for much of the final stretch [2]. McClain surged past Obiri only in the closing moments to take second place by one second [2]. Edna Kiplagat of Kenya, the 2010 champion, finished fourth at age 46 [3]. Kenyan women have now won the race for the eighth straight time, excluding the cancelled 2020 edition [6].

Marathon runners crossing a city bridge at sunrise — Illustration generated for this story by Galactic News

The race marked the 50th time it has run through all five boroughs of New York City [1]. Nearly 60,000 runners were expected to take on the 26.2-mile course [5]. The New York City Marathon was the last World Marathon Major of 2026 [3]. Neither defending champion kept a title this year, with both Kipruto and Obiri beaten [4].

What happens next

The 2026 marathon season is now closed with New York as its final major [3]. McClain's second place gives American distance running its best New York result in eight years [1][3].

Verified: 2026-11-01

Disclosure: This article was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by a human editor. Facts reflect sources available on the verified date; developing stories may have new details — check the cited sources for updates.