New York (AFP) – The Swede Andreas Almgren, European champion in the 10,000 meters, and the Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui won the New York Marathon on Sunday, in this legendary 42.195 km route through the five boroughs of the Big Apple, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year.

First modification: 01/11/2026 - 19:01

The race was born on September 13, 1970, but the route was then limited to Central Park, in the heart of Manhattan.

In 1976 the marathon left the green lung of the megalopolis, in a daring bid by the organizers to unite the five "boroughs" of New York: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Manhattan.

Almgren, a debutant in the marathon, won with a time of 2 hours 6 minutes 1 second, while Chepkirui did so with 2 hours 24 minutes 36 seconds.

After winning his first international title on the track in August with the 10,000 m at the European Championships and in September obtaining his first world title in the half marathon, the 31-year-old Swede wins his first major marathon since his debut in the distance.

"I go with the naivety of a child who is said to start a race to win it," the Swede had assured before the race, confident after an already successful season and a preparation for the marathon that had exceeded all his expectations. "

"Unless something extremely crazy happens, I'll be able to maintain the pace at least until Central Park (four km from the finish line)," he had warned.

Integrated in the leading group throughout the race along with the Kenyan and Ethiopian favorites, including the defending champion, Benson Kipruto, Almgren was able to respond to the acceleration of his rivals until he left Kipruto behind and remained alone in the lead along with the Italian Yeman Crippa, winner of the Paris Marathon.

But the Swede managed to defeat the Italian in the last kilometer to go alone to victory. Crippa was second with 2:06:14, ahead of the Lesotho athlete Kamohelo Mofolo (2:06:26).

Chepkirui regains his crown

A few minutes before the arrival of Andreas Almgren, the Kenyan Chepkirui signed her second victory in the New York Marathon, after her victory in 2024, while the other great favorite, her compatriot Hellen Obiri, the last champion, finished third (2h24:43), surpassed a few meters from the finish line by the American Jessica McClain (2h24:43).

The two Kenyans had fulfilled their status as favorites by taking the lead of the race alone at kilometer 35, heading towards a duel for victory that seemed written in advance.

But Obiri, who was already showing some signs of fatigue, sank in the final kilometer, allowing McClain, who managed the end of his race perfectly, to take second place.

"The last kilometer was really difficult," Chepkirui said. "I had to be patient because I knew Hellen was very strong, so I had to really push myself to the finish line."

McClain became the first American since 2018 to finish on the podium.

"I don't think I have the words yet," said the local marathoner.

With two victories each in the last four years, Chepkirui and Obiri confirm Kenyan dominance in the women's event: Kenyans have won 13 of the 15 New York Marathons since 2010.

© 2026 AFP

The content you requested does not exist or is no longer available.