Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui won the 2026 New York City Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 1, finishing in about 2 hours 24 minutes 35 seconds and beating American Jessica McClain by six seconds. Compatriot Hellen Obiri, the defending champion, was third, seven seconds off the winning time. Sweden’s Andreas Almgren took the men’s race in his marathon debut.
The result is Chepkirui’s second New York title. CBS New York lists her time as 2:24:35, while Marathon Journal gives 2:24:36; the official NYRR results page will settle the one-second difference.
How did the 2026 New York City Marathon women’s race finish?
It came down to the final stretch. Marathon Journal reports that Obiri made a move in the later stages and that Chepkirui responded, retaking the lead near the 40-kilometre mark. McClain closed hard but ran out of road, finishing six seconds back.
The race marked the 50th anniversary of the five-borough course, which runs from Staten Island to Central Park. Around 60,000 runners took part, according to NPR’s headline report.
Women’s top 10 at a glance
| Place | Athlete | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 6 | Carrie Ellwood | USA | 2:26:28 |
| 7 | Weini Kelati | USA | 2:26:51 |
| 8 | Paige Wood | USA | 2:27:29 |
| 9 | Viola Cheptoo | Kenya | 2:28:34 |
| 10 | Fabienne Königstein | Germany | 2:28:49 |
*CBS New York reports 2:24:35 for the winner. Splits for places 2 to 10 are from Marathon Journal.
Kenyan women filled five of the top 10 places and three of the first five.
How did Kenyan men fare?
Almgren, the World Half Marathon champion, won in 2:06:01. Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa was second in 2:06:14 and Lesotho’s Kamohelo Mofolo third in 2:06:26, a 25-second spread across the podium. Kenya’s best finisher was defending champion Benson Kipruto in fourth (2:06:27), one second behind the podium. Geoffrey Kamworor was eighth in 2:07:09.
What does it mean for Kenya’s marathon season?
The result adds to a busy season for Kenyan distance runners. Earlier coverage on 254.ke looked at the Kenyans lined up for the Chicago Marathon, Eliud Kipchoge’s course-record win in Melbourne and Kenya’s showing at Boston. In New York, the women’s depth stood out: five Kenyans in the top 10, and the fourth-placed finisher, Edna Kiplagat, was only about a minute behind the winner.
Full official results are published by New York Road Runners.
FAQ
Who won the 2026 New York City Marathon?
Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui won the women’s race and Sweden’s Andreas Almgren won the men’s race on Nov. 1, 2026.
What was Sheila Chepkirui’s winning time?
About 2:24:35 according to CBS New York; Marathon Journal lists 2:24:36. Official NYRR results are the final word.
Did Hellen Obiri defend her title?
No. Obiri finished third in 2:24:43, seven seconds behind Chepkirui. She had won in 2025 with a course record of 2:19:51.
How many Kenyans finished in the top 10?
Five women (Chepkirui, Obiri, Kiplagat, Chelangat and Cheptoo) and two men (Kipruto and Kamworor), as of Nov. 3, 2026.
By the 254.ke Newsroom.
