Sheila Chepkirui has won the 2026 New York City Marathon. The Kenyan clocked 2:24:36 on Sunday to claim her second New York title in three years, holding off American Jessica McClain and defending champion Hellen Obiri in a thrilling finish in Central Park. Kenyan women filled four of the top five places, while Sweden’s Andreas Almgren won the men’s race on his marathon debut.
It was a proud day for Kenyan distance running on the streets of New York, with Chepkirui adding to the 2024 title she won on her debut over the course.
Sheila Chepkirui Wins in New York: Key Facts
- Women’s winner: Sheila Chepkirui (Kenya), 2:24:36
- Men’s winner: Andreas Almgren (Sweden), 2:06:01 on debut
- Date: Sunday 1 November 2026
- Kenyans in the women’s top five: Chepkirui (1st), Obiri (3rd), Edna Kiplagat (4th), Mercy Chelangat (5th)
- Best Kenyan man: Benson Kipruto, fourth in 2:06:27
How Sheila Chepkirui Won the Women’s Race
The women’s race started at a cautious pace, with a large pack passing halfway together in around 1:13:52. Nobody wanted to commit early on a course that punishes anyone who goes too soon, and the group only began to break up after 25 kilometres.
By 35 kilometres the lead group was down to six, with Obiri at the front. Then Chepkirui made her move. She pushed hard over the next five kilometres, and only Obiri could live with her. The two Kenyans reached 40 kilometres together, setting up a battle in Central Park.
Chepkirui found another gear in the final two kilometres and pulled clear to win by six seconds. Behind her, McClain produced a superb late surge and caught Obiri in the final metres to snatch second place in 2:24:42. Obiri, who set the course record of 2:19:51 when she won last year, finished third in 2:24:43, just a second behind the American.
Women’s top five
- 1. Sheila Chepkirui (Kenya), 2:24:36
- 2. Jessica McClain (USA), 2:24:42
- 3. Hellen Obiri (Kenya), 2:24:43
- 4. Edna Kiplagat (Kenya), 2:25:42
- 5. Mercy Chelangat (Kenya), 2:25:46
Edna Kiplagat, one of the great names of Kenyan marathon running, showed her class again with a fourth-place finish, and Mercy Chelangat completed a strong team display in fifth.
Men’s Race: Almgren Wins on Debut, Kipruto Fourth
The men’s race was a much tighter affair. A big group stayed together beyond 35 kilometres before Almgren broke clear over the final stretch. The Swede, running his first marathon, won in 2:06:01, the fastest winning time in New York since the course record of 2:04:58 was set in 2023.
Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa took second in 2:06:14, and Kamohelo Mofolo of Lesotho was third in 2:06:26. Last year’s champion Benson Kipruto was fourth in 2:06:27, missing the podium by a whisker, while Geoffrey Kamworor, a former New York winner, finished eighth in 2:07:09.
Men’s top five
- 1. Andreas Almgren (Sweden), 2:06:01
- 2. Yemaneberhan Crippa (Italy), 2:06:14
- 3. Kamohelo Mofolo (Lesotho), 2:06:26
- 4. Benson Kipruto (Kenya), 2:06:27
- 5. Haftu Strintzos (Australia), 2:06:34
What It Means for Kenyan Athletics
Chepkirui’s win keeps Kenya at the top of women’s marathon running. Two titles in three years in New York put her among the most successful runners in the race’s recent history, and the depth behind her, with Obiri, Kiplagat and Chelangat all in the top five, shows the strength of the Kenyan women’s squad.
On the men’s side, it was a rare day without a Kenyan on the podium, but Kipruto’s fourth place, just a second off third, shows he remains one of the best big-city racers in the world.
Read our race preview, New York City Marathon 2026: Obiri and Kipruto Lead 10 Kenyans, and our story on Team Kenya at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Full results are available from New York Road Runners.
FAQ
Who won the New York City Marathon 2026?
Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya won the women’s race in 2:24:36 and Andreas Almgren of Sweden won the men’s race in 2:06:01.
Has Sheila Chepkirui won New York before?
Yes. She also won the New York City Marathon in 2024, so this is her second title in three years.
Where did Hellen Obiri finish?
Defending champion Hellen Obiri finished third in 2:24:43, one second behind Jessica McClain.
How did Benson Kipruto do in New York?
Benson Kipruto, last year’s winner, finished fourth in the men’s race in 2:06:27.
