Almgren, Chepkirui Win New York City Marathon
Sweden’s Andreas Almgren won the New York City Marathon 2026, clocking 2 hours 6 minutes 1 second in a spectacular debut at the distance on Sunday. The 31-year-old powered through the final mile to capture the victory over Italian Yemaneberhan Crippa, becoming the first Swede to win a major marathon.
Almgren arrived in the spotlight after setting a European half-marathon record in Copenhagen in September, and he had won his first international athletics title in August with 10,000 metres gold at the European Championships. In New York, he ran comfortably in a large lead group that also included defending champion Benson Kipruto, before breaking away in the final mile.
He pulled away from Crippa, who finished second in 2:06:14. Lesotho’s Kamohelo Mofolo was third in 2:06:26, narrowly holding off Kenya’s Kipruto, who had been trying to become the first back-to-back New York men’s winner since compatriot Geoffrey Mutai in 2013.
“I mean, you can’t ask for a better debut,” Almgren, draped in a Swedish flag in the sunshine of Central Park, told ESPN. “I don’t know what to say. I just feel like I’m about to start crying,” he added. “When Benson started picking up the pace with five kilometres left, I just felt like I’ve got the legs today.”
Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui won the women’s race for a second time, repelling the challenge of last year’s winner Hellen Obiri, who faded to finish third behind American Jessica McClain. Chepkirui won in 2:24:36. McClain squeezed past Obiri to take second in 2:24:42, with Obiri settling for third in 2:24:43.
How the New York City Marathon 2026 unfolded
For Chepkirui, it was not the first time she had dashed Obiri’s dreams of successive wins. In 2024 she edged then-defending champion Obiri on the streets of New York. On Sunday, it looked like it would again come down to the two of them as they powered together through the final mile, Chepkirui doggedly defending her place in front.
“The last mile was really tricky,” Chepkirui said. “I had to be patient because I knew Hellen was really strong, so I had to really push up to the finish line.”
McClain’s second place carried its own milestone. “I don’t think I have the words yet,” McClain said after becoming the first United States woman since 2018 to finish on the podium. “I honestly didn’t feel amazing through like 18 miles, just kind of had to stick in it and adjust. Top five was top of mind, then podium. I was, like, just sticking with it, and all of a sudden Hellen was coming back to me, and I don’t really know what happened.”
The men’s race turned on patience followed by a sharp final-mile break. Almgren stayed with the lead group while Kipruto lifted the pace with five kilometres left, then made his move when it counted. Crippa held on for second, 13 seconds behind, while Mofolo took third by holding off Kipruto in the closing stages.
The full results picture
The results across the two main divisions tell the story of the day. The gaps were small in both races: 13 seconds separated first from second among the men, and only seven seconds separated first from third among the women.
| Race | Winner | Time | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s marathon | Andreas Almgren | 2:06:01 | Yemaneberhan Crippa, 2:06:14 | Kamohelo Mofolo, 2:06:26 |
| Women’s marathon | Sheila Chepkirui | 2:24:36 | Jessica McClain, 2:24:42 | Hellen Obiri, 2:24:43 |
A 50th anniversary race
Who won the men’s New York City Marathon 2026?
Sweden’s Andreas Almgren won in 2:06:01 on his marathon debut, beating Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa, who finished in 2:06:14.
Who won the women’s race?
Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui won for a second time in 2:24:36, ahead of American Jessica McClain in 2:24:42 and Hellen Obiri in 2:24:43.
What is special about Almgren’s win?
Almgren, 31, won on his debut at the marathon distance and became the first Swede to win a major marathon, after setting a European half-marathon record in Copenhagen in September.
Who won the wheelchair races?
Catherine Debrunner won the women’s wheelchair race in 1:40:02 for her second New York victory, while Marcel Hug won the men’s wheelchair race in 1:28:14 for his eighth title.
Why was the 2026 race a milestone?
It marked the 50th anniversary of the current five-borough incarnation of the race, which began as a Central Park event in 1970 and became city-wide in 1976.
