Andreas Almgren wins the 2026 New York City Marathon in 2:06:01 on his debut

In the streets of the Big Apple, the 55th New York City Marathon delivered a superb show. The sensation was Sweden's Andreas Almgren, who made a huge statement in his first marathon by winning in 2:06:01. The day after Halloween, the half marathon world champion was the one scaring everybody, and his rivals never found an answer. It is a major performance that confirms his enormous potential over the distance. In the women's race, Kenya's Sheila Chepkirui drew on her experience to take back the New York crown in 2:24:36, two years after her 2024 win, in a breathless finish against Hellen Obiri.

Andreas Almgren has hit hard, running 2:06:01 in his very first marathon. The 31-year-old Swede produces one of the fastest debuts in history, though still short of exceptional marks like those of Kelvin Kiptum (2:01:53 in 2022), Yomif Kejelcha (1:59:41 in 2026) or Guye Adola (2:03:46 in 2017). His time is also slightly slower than what Kenenisa Bekele (2:05:04 in 2014) and Eliud Kipchoge (2:05:30 in 2013) ran in their first marathons. It is a remarkable performance, all the more so on New York's demanding course, and it suggests there is plenty more to come from him over the distance. More to follow.

Men's results:

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
6. Zouhair Talbi (United States): 2:06:43
7. Ryota Kondo (Japan): 2:07:08
8. Ahmed Muhumed (United States): 2:07:09
9. Geoffrey Kamworor (Kenya): 2:07:09
10. Ryan Ford (United States): 2:07:17

Women's results:

1. Sheila Chepkirui (Kenya): 2:24:36
2. Jessica McClain (United States): 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 (United States): 2:26:28
7. Weini Kelati (United States): 2:26:51
8. Paige Wood (United States): 2:27:29
9. Viola Cheptoo (Kenya): 2:28:34
10. Fabienne Königstein (Germany): 2:28:49

More details to come…