Almgren wins New York Marathon debut as Chepkirui claims second title

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 17:50 · Archive

Sweden's Andreas Almgren won the New York City Marathon in his debut, while Kenya's Sheila Chepkirui claimed her second title.

Sweden's Andreas Almgren won the men's race of the New York City Marathon in his debut over the distance. The 31-year-old, competing in his first marathon, timed his surge perfectly in the final miles to finish in 2 hours, 6 minutes and 1 second, beating Italy's Yemaneberhan Crippa by 13 seconds. Lesotho's Kamohelo Mofolo took third, ahead of defending champion Benson Kipruto of Kenya.

Almgren's victory came after an impressive 2026 season that saw him shatter the European half marathon record at the world championships in Copenhagen in September and win continental gold over 10,000 metres on the track in Birmingham. His marathon time was the third fastest in the New York course's 50-year history, and all seven of the top finishers achieved times in the top ten all-time for the race. Almgren became the first marathoner to win his debut in the New York event since Ethiopia's Gebre Gebremariam in 2010.

In the women's race through the five boroughs, Kenya's Sheila Chepkirui claimed her second New York City Marathon title. Chepkirui escaped from fellow Kenyan Hellen Obiri in the final miles, with American home hope Jess McClain finishing quickly to secure second place. Switzerland's Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner won the wheelchair races.

The 2026 edition saw approximately 60,000 runners take part. For the first time in 15 years, race organisers made a minor change to the course, altering the route at Mile 20 as it entered the Bronx to reduce the number of turns in the borough from seven to five and ease street closures.

Almgren wins New York Marathon debut as Chepkirui claims second title — Image: BBC Sport

Comments (0)

How it is being reported

Almgren wins in New York on marathon debutAndreas Almgren continues his remarkable year by winning the New York Marathon on his debut over 26.2 miles.BBC Sport · 1 Nov, 18:10
First time's a charm! Sweden's Andreas Almgren wins New York City marathon in his 26.2m debutSweden's Andreas Almgren won the men's race of the New York City Marathon in his debut in the event while Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya won the women's race.Daily Mail Sport · 1 Nov, 17:42
New York marathon: Sweden's Almgren and Kenya's Chepkirui win as 60,000 take partAndreas Almgren of Sweden won the men's race of the New York City Marathon in his debut in the event while Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya won the women's race on Sunday for the second time.NPR · 1 Nov, 17:33
New York City Marathon 2026 results and times as Andreas Almgren triumphs in impressive debutThe Swede lived up to his billing in a highly-anticipated bow over the distance, while Sheila Chepkirui secured another success in the women’s raceIndependent Sport · 1 Nov, 16:28

In this story: Andreas Almgren · Sheila Chepkirui · Sweden · Kenya · New York City · Yemaneberhan Crippa · Jess McClain · Marcel Hug

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log