Sweden’s Andreas Almgren won the TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1, 2026, crossing the line in Central Park in 2:06:01 in the first marathon of his career. Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui took the women’s race in 2:24:36 for her second New York title, while American Jessica McClain grabbed a rare podium spot.
What We Know
Almgren, a track and half-marathon specialist, made his long-awaited debut over 26.2 miles look remarkably composed. The men’s race stayed bunched for most of the morning: at 17 miles, the leading group of 17 runners was separated by just three seconds, according to Canadian Running Magazine. The decisive move came late, when Almgren and Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa broke clear and the Swede used his finishing speed to pull away in the final mile.
Crippa finished second in 2:06:14, 13 seconds back. Kamohelo Mofolo of Lesotho came from behind to take third in 2:06:26, edging out defending champion Benson Kipruto of Kenya by a single second.
The women’s race produced an even tighter finish. Chepkirui and her compatriot Hellen Obiri, the 2025 champion, went to the front with about two miles to go and fought for the lead before Chepkirui pulled away in the closing 150 meters, the Associated Press reported. Behind them, Jessica McClain overtook Obiri in the final strides to finish second, six seconds behind the winner. Obiri was third in 2:24:43, just one second further back.
McClain’s runner-up finish made her the first American woman on the New York podium since 2018, a result that will resonate with US distance-running fans.
In the wheelchair races, Switzerland dominated again. Marcel Hug won his eighth New York title, holding off American rival Daniel Romanchuk by a little over a second, while Catherine Debrunner claimed her second women’s title by a margin of roughly seven minutes, Yahoo Sports reported.
Background
Almgren arrived in New York as one of the most talked-about debutants in years. He won the 10,000m at the European Championships in August and, in September, won the half marathon at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, setting European records along the way. Canadian Running Magazine reported that he picked New York for his debut because of the energy of its crowds.
For Chepkirui, Sunday confirmed her standing on the course. She first won in New York in 2024, and she and Obiri have now shared the last three titles between them.
This year’s race also carried extra symbolism. It was the 50th edition to run through all five boroughs, a format that began in 1976 when just over 2,000 people took part, only 88 of them women. About 60,000 runners lined up on Sunday, nearly half of them women, according to the AP.
What’s Next
Almgren’s time immediately places him among the leading contenders for the spring 2027 marathon majors, although he has not announced his next race. Chepkirui and Obiri remain the benchmark in New York, while McClain’s breakthrough adds momentum for American women heading toward the next Olympic cycle.
It has been a busy stretch for sport in the United States: just days earlier, William Contreras was named World Series MVP as the Milwaukee Brewers clinched the title. Readers who follow American sport can also explore our profiles of Kevin Durant and Travis Kelce.
Sources
- Associated Press (via WRAL)
- Associated Press (via Live 5 News)
- Yahoo Sports
- Canadian Running Magazine