Almgren and Chepkirui win New York City Marathon

Sweden’s Andreas Almgren took the men’s title at the New York City Marathon on November 1, pulling away from Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa in the final mile. Almgren finished in 2:06:01, 13 seconds ahead of Crippa, in his first race at the marathon distance. Lesotho’s Kamohelo Mofolo placed third, just ahead of defending champion Benson Kipruto of Kenya.

Almgren’s time was the third-fastest in the course’s 50-year history. He became the first runner to win the New York marathon in his debut since Ethiopia’s Gebre Gebremariam won in 2010. American Zouhair Talbi finished sixth and set the fastest time by a U.S. man at the event.

Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui won the women’s race in 2:24:36, repeating her 2024 victory. She separated from compatriot Hellen Obiri in the final 150 meters. American Jessica McClain passed Obiri near the finish to take second, six seconds behind Chepkirui. It was the first time since 2018 that an American woman finished among the top three.

The race marked its 50th year on a course through all five boroughs. About 60,000 runners took part, including competitors from more than 140 countries. The route through the Bronx was changed for the first time in 15 years, reducing the number of turns from seven to five and easing street closures. Marcel Hug secured his eighth men’s wheelchair title, while Catherine Debrunner won the women’s wheelchair race in 1:40:02.