Skip to main content

2026 TCS New York City Marathon Becomes the First Marathon EVER to Exceed 60,000-Finisher Mark

TIME TO READ
BYNYRR Staff
DATE

New York Road Runners breaks the record for world’s largest marathon for the third consecutive year

VIDEO /  PHOTOS from champions’ visit to One World Observatory

New York, Nov. 2, 2026 – New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that “runs” New York City producing 60 annual adult and youth races, today announced that the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, held Sunday, Nov. 1, has broken the world record for the largest marathon ever for the third consecutive year, with 61,146 finishers. This year, the TCS New York City Marathon—the best day of the year, in the best city in the world—celebrated 50 years of the iconic 5-boro course with an unprecedented turnout once again.

In addition to the outstanding attendance of runners and spectators across New York City’s five boroughs, New York Road Runners also broke its charity fundraising record, surpassing its $100 million goal ahead of the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, New York Road Runners’ Official Charity Partner Program benefits more than 670 worthy nonprofit organizations and the people they serve around the globe.

The Field:

Note: All finisher numbers and results are as of Nov. 1 and subject to change after final race scoring verification.

  • Number of starters: 61,529
  • Number of finishers: 61,146
  • Men’s finishers—32,047; women’s finishers—28,942; nonbinary finishers—157; the most-ever men’s, women’s, and nonbinary finishers
  • International finishers: 15,745
    • Italy had the highest number of non-U.S. finishers, followed by France
  • Countries represented: 153
  • All 50 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Armed Forces Americas and Europe were represented

Champions:

  • Men’s open division champion: Andreas Almgren, SWE, 2:06:01
  • Women’s open division champion: Sheila Chepkirui, KEN, 2:24:36
  • Top American open division man: Zouhair Talbi (6th), 2:06:43 (new fastest time by an American man)
  • Top American open division woman: Jess McClain (2nd), 2:24:42 (best finish by an American woman since Shalane Flanagan placed 3rd in 2018)
  • Men’s wheelchair division champion: Marcel Hug, SUI, 1:28:14
  • Women’s wheelchair division champion: Catherine Debrunner, SUI, 1:40:02
  • Nonbinary division winner: Ryan Montgomery, USA, 2:23:39 (a new course record in the nonbinary division)

Champion Statistics and Notable Information:

  • Men’s Open Division
    • Andreas Almgren became the first TCS New York City Marathon winner from Sweden and just the second European champion in the open division in the last 18 years
    • Almgren is the first person to win the race in their marathon debut since 2010
  • Women’s Open Division
    • Sheila Chepkirui won her second TCS New York City Marathon title in three years, and now has three consecutive podium finishes at the race
    • Chepkirui became only the 10th woman to be a repeat champion in race history
  • Wheelchair Division:
    • By successfully defending his title, Marcel Hug extended his TCS New York City Marathon record number of wins to eight
    • Catherine Debrunner won by eight minutes and 26 seconds, the fifth-largest margin of victory in the history of the women’s wheelchair division
    • This is the third time in race history that Swiss athletes swept the wheelchair division

Oldest and Youngest Runners:

  •  Oldest Man Finisher: Danil Farkash, 90, USA, 11:24:18
  • Oldest Woman Finisher: Sharon Kerson, 84, USA, 12:30:21
  • Oldest Nonbinary Finisher: Mark Revell, 66, AUS, 5:47:00
  • Youngest Man Finisher: Edward Waltemath, 18, USA, 3:57:34
  • Youngest Woman Finisher: Lucy Weld, 18, USA, 4:12:06 (Lucy turned 18 on race day!)
  • Youngest Nonbinary Finisher: Zoey Schwartz, 20, USA, 6:23:30

Para Athletics Division Winners:

  • Low Vision and Blind Category
    • Men T-12: Javier Perez, USA, 3:57:07
    • Men T-13: John Chan, USA, 4:54:43
    • Women T-13: Lisa Thompson, USA, 4:06:56
  • Co-ordination/Hypertonia/Ataxia/Athetosis Category
    • Men T-37: Michael Friedman, USA, 2:58:55
  • Intellectual and Developmental Disability Category
    • Men T-20: Alex Eletto, USA, 3:07:49
  • Lower Limb Disability Category
    • Men T-42: Anthony Grossi, USA, 7:04:18
    • Men T-43: Nick Blomstedt, USA, 4:18:29
    • Men T-64: Jeffrey Lampe, USA, 3:51:39
    • Women T-44: Jennifer Perez, USA, 3:50:17
    • Women T-63: Noelle Lambert, USA, 6:38:14
    • Women T-64: Nicole Ver Kuilen, USA, 3:54:20
  • Upper Limb Disability Category
    • Men T-47: Emmanuel Carillo, USA, 3:40:29
    • Women T-46: Leah Kaplan, USA, 4:01:48

Celebrity and Notable Runners:

  • Oz Pearlman (2:37:43): Mentalist; record holder for most miles run in Central Park in a single day
  • Alex Karwoski (2:51:17): Peloton Instructor
  • Matt Wilpers (2:54:37): Peloton Instructor
  • Casey Neistat (2:57:25): Content creator, director, and entrepreneur; supported NYRR Team for Kids
  • Zac Clark (3:04:02): “The Bachelorette” star and founder and CEO of Release Recovery
  • James Milner (3:09:04): Former Premier League soccer player and England midfielder; supported the James Milner Foundation
  • Jordan Litz (3:13:48): Broadway actor currently starring in “Wicked” on London’s West End
  • Dylan Efron (3:28:11): “Dancing with the Stars” and “The Traitors” star who ran with New Balance
  • Laura Perlongo (3:29:14): Wife of Nēv Schulman
  • Sam Judge (3:29:44): Wife of New York Yankees All-Star Aaron Judge; supported KultureCity
  • Nēv Schulman (3:29:48): “Catfish: The TV Show” creator and host
  • Mariana Fernandez (3:34:00): Peloton Instructor
  • Sara Falkson (3:35:25): Founder and CEO of Robyn Athletic; girlfriend of New York Yankees designated hitter Ben Rice
  • Joshua Bassett (3:36:49): Actor, singer-songwriter, and musician; supported the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
  • Jennifer Connelly (3:40:09): Academy Award–winning actor
  • Matt James (3:45:37): “The Bachelor” star and co-founder of nonprofit ABC Food Tours
  • Mike Marza (3:50:39): WABC anchor; supported the Alzheimer’s Association
  • Hannah Frankson (3:51:31): Peloton Instructor
  • Del Water Gap (3:53:25): American songwriter and producer
  • Justin Britt (3:53:40): Mental health advocate and former NFL football player who supported NYRR Team for Kids
  • Patina Miller (3:57:46): Tony Award–winning Broadway star and actor
  • Camila Ramón (3:58:33): Peloton Instructor
  • Carl Radke (3:59:55): “Summer House” star and entrepreneur; supported Release Recovery
  • Luke Gulbranson (4:03:35): “Summer House” star; supported Blood Cancer United
  • William Goodge (4:05:01): British ultra-endurance athlete who supported Stand Up To Cancer; broke the world record for being the fastest person to run a marathon in all 50 states, running 50 marathons in 23 days
  • Brian Cheung (4:05:32): NBC News correspondent
  • Robin Arzón (4:13:37): Peloton Instructor
  • Liz Cho (4:15:07): WABC anchor; supported the Alzheimer’s Association
  • T.J. Holmes (4:19:35): Journalist and media personality
  • Antoni Porowski (4:22:15): Emmy Award winner, New York Times bestselling author, and star of “Queer Eye” and “Best of the World”; supported City Harvest
  • Zacharias Niedswiecki (4:22:17): Peloton Instructor
  • Ellie Fisher (4:24:39): Wife of Broadway star and actor Jordan Fisher; supported Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
  • Matt Brickman (4:35:05): NBC 4 New York meteorologist; ran with NYRR Team for Climate
  • Vinny Guadagnino (4:40:00): “Jersey Shore” star
  • Mitch Guerra (4:43:23): “Survivor” season 48 star; supported the Chelsea Piers Foundation
  • Merle Dandridge (4:46:33): Actor; supported Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
  • Andrew Spencer (4:50:04): “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise” star
  • Karen Sarahi Gonzalez (4:55:19): Digital creator and entrepreneur; ran with Team Maybelline
  • Kyle Fraser (5:03:07): “Survivor” season 48 winner; supported the Chelsea Piers Foundation
  • Joe Amabile (5:03:39): “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise” star; supported Release Recovery
  • N.O.R.E. (5:06:52): Rapper, actor, and media personality; ran with his “Run Champs” crew
  • Tayshia Adams (5:11:02): Bachelor Nation star and co-host; ran with Team Maybelline
  • Meredith Kopit Levien (5:11:38): New York Times CEO; ran with 10 other staffers supporting “Run for Reporting” campaign
  • Diane Brayton (5:11:39): The New York Times chief legal officer; ran with 10 other staffers supporting “Run for Reporting” campaign
  • Tiki Barber (5:11:49): Former New York Giants player
  • Erika Hennigsen (5:16:54): Broadway star and actor; supported Girl Rising
  • P-Lo (5:23:14): Filipino American rapper and producer
  • Darby Allin (5:34:34): Former AEW World Champion; supported KultureCity
  • Chloe Lukasiak (5:35:08): “Dance Moms” star; supported TheaterWorksUSA
  • Allison Kucharczyk (5:36:44): Co-host of Netflix’s “Couldn’t Agree Less” podcast, creator and interior designer; ran with Team Maybelline
  • Greg Grippo (5:39:26): “The Bachelorette” star
  • Benjamin Walker (5:45:30): Actor and Broadway star
  • Mychal Threets (5:47:48): Librarian and “Reading Rainbow” star; supported CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation
  • Rich Roll (6:05:30): Plant-based ultra-endurance athlete and podcaster who guided Achilles International athlete Cedric King
  • Chelley Bissainthe (6:06:44): “Love Island USA” star and television personality who ran with Team Maybelline
  • Noelle Lambert (6:38:14): American Paralympian and “Survivor” Season 43 star who ran with Team Maybelline
  • Maria P. Canals-Barrera (7:20:16): “Wizards of Waverly Place” and “Camp Rock” star who ran with Team Maybelline
  • Ash Pryor (8:29:13): Peloton Instructor
  • Zarna Garg (9:21:51): The New York Times bestselling author and actor who ran with Team Maybelline

Team Inspire:

A diverse group of marathon athletes with the most compelling stories

  • Griffin Oleynick (2:59:25): After experiencing abuse while preparing to enter an Italian monastery, Griffin turned to running as a way to rebuild his life and improve his mental health. Through running, he found community with the Prospect Park Track Club, lost weight, and reconnected with his father. A decade after his last marathon, Griffin returned to celebrate his personal growth and resilience.
  • Giles Ashton-Roberts (3:48:10): To mark his 50th birthday, Giles took on seven TCS-sponsored marathons across four continents in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association. He ran to honor his mother, who passed away earlier this year following a nearly decade-long battle with the disease.
  • Nicole Ver Kuilen (3:54:20): After being diagnosed with osteosarcoma and undergoing a leg amputation at age 10, Nicole stepped away from athletics due to limited access to prosthetic care. She rediscovered running in college and completed a 1,500-mile triathlon along the West Coast to raise awareness about barriers to athletic prosthetics. She has since founded Forrest Stump and worked with the Amputee Coalition to advocate for expanded insurance coverage for athletic prosthetics nationwide.
  • Julianna Mangano (3:54:41): A Staten Island native, Julianna began running after her cousin and best friend suffered a cardiac event during a routine run. Inspired by his memory, she pursued a career as an athletic trainer and EMT and ran the TCS New York City Marathon to finish the run he never got to complete.
  • Hanna Born (3:58:10): A survivor of the September 11 attacks, Hanna was just 3 years old when she was inside the Pentagon’s daycare on 9/11. Now a U.S. Air Force helicopter pilot, she ran the TCS New York City Marathon as part of her Run to Remember 2,977 initiative, a personal mission to run one mile for each of the 2,977 lives lost that day.
  • Kyle Stepp (4:07:17): Diagnosed with stage IV osteosarcoma at age 14, Kyle lived with chronic pain for more than a decade before undergoing an above-the-knee amputation following a mountain biking accident. He went on to represent the United States in international Para triathlon competitions and helped launch the So Every BODY Can Move campaign, expanding prosthetic insurance coverage across 15 states. Kyle ran the TCS New York City Marathon with NYRR Team for Climate to support sustainability efforts.
  • Giovanni Kyle Sabio (4:10:21): Born in Manila, Philippines, Giovanni experienced homelessness growing up before finding stability and independence through education and running. He credits running with helping him build confidence, improve his mental well-being, and find a supportive community.
  • Danish Hussain Yar (4:21:27): Growing up in Afghanistan, Danish lost the freedom to run when the Taliban regained power and restricted women’s rights. After escaping the country at age 18, she turned to running to cope with leaving her home and later moved to the United States to attend Cornell University. She ran the TCS New York City Marathon with Free to Run, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing gender equity through running.
  • Smita Rajgopal (4:36:24): Smita was diagnosed with bipolar I disorder as an adult and has experienced multiple psychiatric hospitalizations. Since the diagnosis, she has worked to challenge the stigma around the often-misunderstood illness by showcasing the person behind the diagnosis, including her identity as a runner, accomplished entrepreneur, and circus aerialist.
  • Laura Lang (4:38:28): After her 3-year-old daughter, Holly, was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare pediatric eye cancer, Laura found support through two other mothers, Sheena Lawrick and Sherie Buell, whose children were receiving treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. With all three children having successfully completed treatment, Laura ran the TCS New York City Marathon with Fred’s Team to raise funds for cancer research and support MSK.
  • Sheena Lawrick (4:43:17): After her 4-year-old son, Gus, was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare pediatric eye cancer, Sheena found support through two other mothers, Laura Lang and Sherie Buell, whose children were receiving treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. With all three children having successfully completed treatment, Sheena ran the TCS New York City Marathon with Fred’s Team to raise funds for cancer research and support MSK.
  • Sarah Sleva (4:48:23): Diagnosed with stage IV endometriosis in 2024, Sarah underwent two major surgeries, including gallbladder removal, a total hysterectomy, and bowel resection. Despite these health challenges, she ran her first marathon with Team EndoStrong to raise awareness and funds for the Endometriosis Foundation.
  • Jesús Trejo (4:49:27): On the autism spectrum and the father of a nonverbal autistic son, Jesús turned to running to inspire his son and challenge misconceptions about invisible disabilities, particularly within the Latino community. After struggling to complete six kilometers in January, he went on to take on the TCS New York City Marathon as a testament to his determination and resilience.
  • Laura Britt (5:11:25): After her best friend, Christina Chambers, was killed in a murder-suicide in December 2025, Laura turned to running to honor her memory. Having completed her first half marathon alongside Christina, an avid runner and former college track athlete, Laura ran the TCS New York City Marathon with Christina’s sister and close friends to raise funds for Sanctuary for Families and support survivors of domestic violence.
  • Jackie Corin (5:53:15): A survivor of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Jackie turned her experience into advocacy by co-founding March for Our Lives, a youth-led organization dedicated to ending gun violence. Over the past eight years, she has grown from student activist to CEO and executive director of the organization.
  • Krista-Jean Kelly (6:06:30): After being struck by a train at age 9, Krista-Jean spent weeks in the hospital relearning how to walk. She later survived two car accidents that brought additional physical and emotional challenges, including knee surgery. Despite these setbacks, she ran the TCS New York City Marathon to raise awareness for PTSD and the lasting impact of trauma.
  • Fred Abramowitz (6:09:56): After running his first marathon at the 1976 New York City Marathon, Fred developed a lifelong passion for distance running. He has since completed more than 100 marathons and ultramarathons, including 18 New York City Marathons, and serves as race director of the Run Rabbit Run 50- and 100-mile endurance races.
  • Shaden Awad (6:33:11): The daughter of Palestinian immigrants who grew up in refugee camps, Shaden is an entrepreneur and activist dedicated to financially empowering Palestinian communities. As a small business owner, she uses running to promote visibility and representation for Muslim women, proudly competing in a hijab.
  • Jeffrey Abramowitz (6:38:09): A former trial lawyer who spent six years in federal prison, Jeffrey experienced firsthand the challenges of reentering society after his release. He has since dedicated his career to helping formerly incarcerated individuals access education and employment opportunities, having served as CEO of The Petey Greene Program, a national nonprofit focused on educational justice and workforce development.
  • Dennis Levasseur (6:40:42): A first responder deployed to New York City with Massachusetts Task Force 1 following the September 11 attacks, Dennis ran the TCS New York City Marathon to honor the victims of 9/11 and 13 fellow task force members who have since passed away. Carrying their names during every training run, he ran in support of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
  • Brianna Messina (6:56:07): After coming out as a transgender woman in November 2025, Brianna ran her first marathon since beginning her transition at the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon. An electrician for Broadway’s “Maybe Happy Ending,” she ran to celebrate her identity, demonstrate her resilience, and raise funds for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
  • Mildred Baker (7:03:49): After joining NYRR Striders in her late seventies to stay active and healthy, Mildred discovered a supportive running community that transformed her life. She completed her first half marathon at the 2025 United Airlines NYC Half and took on her first TCS New York City Marathon at age 80.
  • Shaunta-Maé Alexander (7:33:28): After growing up in foster care and experiencing abuse, Shaunta-Maé found strength through sports. Despite facing serious health challenges, including two episodes of paralysis that required her to relearn basic skills, she took on her first marathon to raise awareness and advocate for people with disabilities.
  • Caleb Prewitt (7:39:21): At 19 years old, Caleb became the youngest-known person with Down syndrome to complete the TCS New York City Marathon, a distinction he also holds for the Chicago and London Marathons. After discovering running with his mother during the pandemic, he has used marathons to challenge misconceptions about Down syndrome and raise awareness of what’s possible, while supporting the USA Triathlon Foundation.
  • Vanessa Lindley (8:35:35): Having lived in all five boroughs of New York City, Vanessa credits each with shaping her life. After experiencing housing instability as a teenager while her mother struggled with addiction, she found stability with her grandmother on Staten Island. She later lived in the Bronx and Queens before building a life in Harlem, running the TCS New York City Marathon to celebrate her personal journey and connection to the city.
  • Dave Obelkevich (8:38:12): The longest-running New York City Marathon Streaker, Dave is the only person to have completed every New York City Marathon since the race expanded to all five boroughs in 1976. Despite overcoming broken ribs and a leg-threatening popliteal aneurysm in 2020, he has maintained his remarkable streak for 50 years.
  • Alan Kaufman (9:35:29): A New York City Marathon participant since 1992, Alan completed 13 races as an Achilles International guide for athletes with disabilities. After being diagnosed with stage IV melanoma in 2017, he returned to the marathon in 2018 as an Achilles athlete, running alongside a guide and continuing his decades-long commitment to the race.

# # #

About the History of the New York City Marathon (1970–2026)  

Initially run in 1970 as four-plus laps of Central Park with 55 finishers, the New York City Marathon left the park and was run through the five boroughs for the first time on Oct. 24, 1976, to celebrate the U.S. Bicentennial and uplift the city. The landmark move set the standard for the modern marathon event. This year, New York Road Runners is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 5-boro marathon course and setting a goal of raising $100 million for its Official Charity Partner Program, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Produced by the world’s premier running organization, today the TCS New York City Marathon is consistently one of the largest marathons in the world, bringing together nearly 60,000 participants and more than 2 million spectators for the best day of the year, in the best city in the world.  

About New York Road Runners (NYRR)

A New York City–based nonprofit, New York Road Runners’ vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running—serving more than half a million people annually through its races, free community events, youth running initiatives, and school-based programs across the five boroughs. During its nearly 70 years, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, producing more than 60 adult and youth races each year, including the TCS New York City Marathon. Held the first Sunday each November, the TCS New York City Marathon features more than 60,000 runners—from the world’s best professional athletes to a vast range of runners across experience levels, ages, genders, abilities, and backgrounds. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.