NYC Marathon Results: Almgren Wins on His Debut as McClain Ends the US Podium Drought

Few people win the first marathon they ever run, and almost nobody does it on the streets of New York. Andreas Almgren did exactly that on Sunday, storming through Central Park to win this year’s race in New York in his debut at the distance. On the women’s side, Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui reclaimed the crown she first won two years ago, while American Jess McClain produced a finish that had fans across the country searching her name. Here is a full rundown of the NYC Marathon results, the stories behind the 2026 NYC Marathon winners, and how runners can find their official times.

A Debut for the History Books

Almgren, a Swedish distance runner best known on the track, crossed the line in 2:06:01. He won bronze in the 10,000 meters at the 2025 World Championships, so his speed was never in doubt, but nobody could be sure how he would handle 26.2 miles on a hilly, demanding course.

The answer came late in the race. Almgren held back through the early miles, then unleashed a powerful finishing surge, covering the final stretch from 40 kilometers to the finish in just over six minutes, according to Run247’s race report. That kind of closing speed separated him from a strong chasing group.

His victory makes him the first European man to win New York in three decades, as NBC Sports noted.

The men’s podium

• Gold: Almgren of Sweden, clocking 2:06:01
• Silver: Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa, 13 seconds back at 2:06:14
• Bronze: Kamohelo Mofolo of Lesotho, at 2:06:26

Zouhair Talbi was the leading American man, finishing in 2:06:43. Defending champion Benson Kipruto of Kenya finished outside the top three, so there will be no repeat of his 2025 victory.

Chepkirui Wins Again in a Thrilling Women’s Race

The women’s race was one of the closest in recent memory. The leading group stayed tightly bunched for most of the course, and at 30 kilometers the first eight runners were separated by barely a second.

Chepkirui, who won New York on her debut in 2024, timed her move best and broke the tape in 2:24:36. It is her second title here in three years.

McClain’s late charge

The moment that electrified American fans came behind her. Jess McClain surged through the final stretch and edged past two-time champion Hellen Obiri of Kenya in the last strides, finishing just six seconds behind the winner in 2:24:42. The margin over Obiri was less than half a second.

That second-place finish ended a long wait. It was the first time an American man or woman had reached the New York podium since Shalane Flanagan placed third in 2018.

The women’s podium

• Gold: Chepkirui of Kenya, clocking 2:24:36
• Silver: American Jess McClain, six seconds back at 2:24:42
• Bronze: Kenya’s Hellen Obiri, at 2:24:43

Several other Americans also finished in the top 10, a sign of growing depth in US women’s distance running.

Wheelchair Champions

The wheelchair races opened the day. Switzerland’s Marcel Hug won the men’s division in 1:28:14, adding another title to his long record in New York. In the women’s race, fellow Swiss athlete Catherine Debrunner won in 1:40:02, with American Tatyana McFadden second and Susannah Scaroni third, according to NBC Sports’ official results listing.

A Milestone Year for the Race

This year’s race had extra meaning. It marked the 50th anniversary of the event’s five-borough course, which takes runners from Staten Island through Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan. It was also the final World Marathon Major of the 2026 season, closing out a year of major city races.

How to Find Your Official Time

If you ran, or you are tracking a friend or family member, official results are published by the race organizer, New York Road Runners. A few tips:

• Search by name or bib number on the official NYRR results page or app.
• Allow time for updates. Results can take a while to finalize, and early times may be adjusted.
• Check your splits to see how your pace changed across the five boroughs.
• Download your finisher certificate once results are official.

Running is booming across the US, and big events like this one attract tens of thousands of participants each year. For more sports coverage, see our report on Jay-Z’s Super Bowl halftime show. Our [Link: how to train for your first marathon] guide is a good place to start if this race has inspired you.

A Day of Surprises in the Five Boroughs

From a stunning debut victory to a dramatic American comeback, the 2026 race delivered the kind of storylines that make New York special. It also showed how unpredictable marathon racing can be, even among the world’s best. Check the official NYRR results for full times, and keep an eye on Almgren and McClain, who both look set for big things.

Frequently Asked Questions