Almgren Wins New York Marathon on Debut as Chepkirui Claims Second Title

New York, November 1, 2026. When the elite pack set off from Staten Island across the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on Sunday morning, the 50th edition of the five-borough New York City Marathon was under way. Nearly two and a half hours later, when 31-year-old Swedish runner Andreas Almgren reached the final incline in Central Park, his face showed disbelief more than fatigue. This was his first full marathon. And in his first marathon he won the title in 2 hours 6 minutes 1 second. This was not just a victory—it was the end of a 30-year wait. Behind Almgren, Italy's Yemaneberhan Crippa finished second in 2:06:14, just 13 seconds behind the winner. Third place went to Kamohelo Mofolo of Lesotho in 2:06:26—12 seconds behind Crippa. That meant the total gap among the top three was only 25 seconds. Such a narrow margin over 42.195 kilometres is extremely rare. It was a clear sign that the race was tactical from the start and was decided in the final kilometres. For Almgren, the year had already been outstanding. In August he won the 10,000 metres gold at the European Championships. In September he set a European record in the half marathon. And now, in November, in his first full marathon, he won on a difficult course like New York. For any runner, continental gold on the track, a continental record on the road and a major marathon title in the same year is an extraordinary combination. Very few European runners have achieved such a diverse set of results in a single season. With this victory, Almgren became the first European-born runner since 2026 to win the men's New York City Marathon. Italy's Giacomo Leone won the race in 2026. In the three decades since, African and North American runners dominated the men's race on New York's streets. Almgren's win breaks that monopoly. It is a signal for European distance running that the balance of competition is slowly changing. One win does not change a trend, but it shows that European runners can now compete at the top level in the marathon. After the race, Almgren was emotional. He said, "I've got the legs today. I knew that if I kept my rhythm, the opportunity would come at the end." When asked how it felt to make history in his first marathon, his eyes filled. He said, "I'm about to start crying. This is bigger than I imagined." It was the most emotional moment of his career, and the spectators in Central Park gave him a long ovation. The race started slowly. The elite group was cautious over the first ten kilometres. The pack stayed large through Brooklyn and Queens. The pace picked up only as the runners entered Manhattan. After the climb over the Queensboro Bridge, a small group formed with Almgren, Crippa and Mofolo. The crowds on First Avenue raised the atmosphere, but the three stayed together. In the final five kilometres Almgren increased the pace and built a 13-second gap. This race was also notable because no single runner led from start to finish. All three medallists stayed within sight of one another until the final kilometre. According to experts, the New York course—five boroughs, several bridges, long climbs and uneven surfaces—rewards such tactics. The runner who saves energy for the final two kilometres wins. Almgren did exactly that. He kept himself in the pack over the first half and did not let anyone get too far ahead. When the group shrank after the Queensboro Bridge, he began to lift the pace. Over the final 10 kilometres he held a steady rhythm and left Crippa 13 seconds behind. In the women's race, 35-year-old Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya won her second New York City Marathon title in 2 hours 24 minutes 36 seconds. But her victory was far closer than the men's race. Jessica McClain of the United States finished second in 2:24:42—only 6 seconds behind. And third place went to Kenya's Hellen Obiri in 2:24:43—just 1 second behind McClain. That meant the total gap among the top three women was only 7 seconds. The women's race was far more dramatic than the men's. While the gap between the men's winner and runner-up was 13 seconds, the gap between second and third in the women's race was only 1 second. That margin shows that all three runners were together until the final few hundred metres. Whoever reached the last turn in Central Park first took the title. Chepkirui used her experience and strengthened her position in the closing moments. After the race, Chepkirui said she did not rush at the start. She explained, "I controlled my pace in the early stages. I knew that going too early in New York can be dangerous. In the final six miles I felt I still had energy left." Praising her rival Hellen Obiri, she said, "She is a very strong runner. Racing against her is always challenging." The remark made clear that the real battle in the women's race was between these two. It was Chepkirui's second New York title. Over the past few years she has been one of the most consistent runners on New York's streets. Staying at the top level of marathon running at 35 is an achievement in itself. Her win also shows that Kenyan women continue to dominate, but American and other international runners are now pushing them hard. The depth in the women's field was clear this time. Jessica McClain's second place is a positive sign for American marathoning. On home soil she came close to the title and showed that American women can now compete at world level. A six-second gap is very small, but in a marathon those six seconds can sometimes change the direction of a career. The way McClain applied pressure in the final kilometres was proof of her confidence. Hellen Obiri finished third, but her performance shows she is still a top-level runner. Chepkirui named her as her main rival. Obiri's experience and speed kept the women's race exciting until the final moments. Had the one-second gap gone her way, the outcome would have been different. That is the beauty of the marathon—every second counts. The New York City Marathon course passes through five boroughs—Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan. This edition was special because it marked 50 years of the five-borough route. In 2026 runners first raced over this course, and since then the race has become part of the city's identity. On Sunday, millions of spectators lined the streets. From Brooklyn's neighbourhoods to Manhattan's First Avenue, people cheered the runners everywhere. The race starts on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and drops into the streets of Brooklyn, where the crowds are largest. By the time runners reach Queens they begin to tire, and the climb over the Queensboro Bridge tests them. The Bronx section is short, but the view of Manhattan from there gives runners new energy. On First Avenue the crowds form a wall, and the final mile heads into Central Park. That is where the marathon is truly decided. This time the weather favoured the runners. Cool morning air and clear skies created good conditions for a long race. Although the sun grew stronger by midday, the elite runners had already completed most of the race in the morning. Such weather makes it easier to hold a fast pace, and that was why the leading times were impressive this year. The New York City Marathon is one of the largest marathons in the world. Every year thousands of runners take part. Beyond the elite field, the mass of ordinary runners is part of what makes the race special. On Sunday, runners of all ages were seen across the city. The race is not just a sporting event but a festival for the city. Yemaneberhan Crippa is one of Italy's emerging long-distance runners. He lost the title in New York by the narrowest margin of his career. Thirteen seconds looks small, but in a marathon it is a significant gap. Crippa showed that Italy is also becoming competitive in men's marathoning. His performance should make the European presence even stronger in the years ahead. Kamohelo Mofolo is from Lesotho, a major centre for long-distance running. Third place showed his quality. A 12-second gap indicates that he too was in the title fight until the closing stages. Lesotho's runners have consistently performed well in New York, and Mofolo carried that tradition forward. European men's dominance in the marathon has weakened over the past few decades. Since the 1990s, African runners—especially from Kenya and Ethiopia—have won major marathons consistently. Almgren's victory is a sign of change. One win does not reverse a trend, but it shows that European runners can now compete at the highest level in the marathon. Almgren is being presented as the first ‘European-born’ champion. That classification matters, because many distance runners compete for European countries but were born in Africa. If the count were based on nationality, the picture might look different. It will therefore be interesting to see on what basis this record has been framed. It is a technical detail, but a necessary one for readers to understand. For Sweden, this victory is special. Almgren has given Swedish distance running a new identity. Sweden has a tradition in long-distance events, and his win will inspire young runners there. His coach and family also celebrated the victory. In Central Park, crowds swelled on the final incline. As Almgren reached the last turn, applause echoed through the park. A short while later Chepkirui arrived and the celebration of the women's title began. New York police and volunteers kept order along the entire route. The event is a huge logistical challenge for the city, but it is successfully staged every year. The biggest message from Almgren's win is that experience is not everything in the marathon. A runner competing in his first full marathon can still win at the top level, provided his track and half-marathon foundations are strong. Almgren had proved himself over 10,000 metres on the track and in the half marathon on the roads, and now he has done the same over the full marathon. Chepkirui's victory shows that it is possible to stay at the top of the marathon at 35. Her experience paid off in the closing moments. The closeness of the women's race also shows that the marathon is no longer only a test of endurance, but also of strategy and late-race judgement. The question now is what Almgren will do next. After winning a major title in his first marathon, expectations will rise. Will he return to New York next year? Will he challenge at other major marathons? It will be interesting to see. This year will be memorable for the Swedish runner, but the real test will come next season. Once again the New York City Marathon proved that it is not just 42 kilometres of distance but a collection of stories. On one side Almgren made history in his first marathon; on the other Chepkirui used her experience to claim a second title. The sweat on the streets of five boroughs, the applause of the crowds and the final turn once again showed why the marathon is one of the world's most special sporting events.