More than 50,000 runners will set off through all five boroughs of New York on Sunday, with the professional women starting at 8:35am local time and the professional men at 9:05am. On a stage where last year’s men’s race was decided by three hundredths of a second, the question for 2026 is whether anyone outside Kenya and Ethiopia can split the East African frontrunners.
Benson Kipruto returns to defend his title after a 2:08:09 photo finish ahead of compatriot Alexander Mutiso in 2025, the closest result in race history according to New York Road Runners. No man has successfully defended the New York title since 1998.
The Kenyan will have to go through a field that includes Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta (2:02:38 personal best), Kenya’s Cyprian Kotut (2:03:22) and two-time New York winner Geoffrey Kamworor, listed on the NYRR professional field announcement.
American record held, but can Mantz hold on?
The clearest challenge from outside East Africa comes from the United States. Conner Mantz brings an American record of 2:04:43 and is joined by Zouhair Talbi, whose 2:03:45 ranks second on the all-time American list.
Read also: Lewis Hamilton reveals why he may have to delay his F1 retirement
Mantz has approached the race cautiously after injury. He told CITIUS Mag his focus was simply on reaching the line fit.
“The goal right now is really just, let’s get to the start line 100 percent healthy,” Mantz said.
Sweden’s Andreas Almgren, a 10,000m bronze medalist at the 2025 World Championships, makes his marathon debut.
Hassan wants revenge on “the boss”
The women’s race is framed as a rematch. Hellen Obiri set a course record of 2:19:51 in 2025, breaking a 22-year-old mark, and is chasing a third New York title. Only Grete Waitz, Mary Keitany and Paula Radcliffe have reached three or more.
Read also: AFCON bosses backtrack on four-year cycle after months of backlash
Her main challenger is Dutch Olympic champion Sifan Hassan, who holds a Dutch national record of 2:13:44 and faded to sixth in Central Park last year after struggling over the Queensboro Bridge.
“New York was my boss last time. So this time, I’m going to be the boss of New York,” Hassan told reporters at NYRR’s media day, according to CITIUS Mag.
Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui, the 2024 champion, is also back on the start list. The leading American woman is Jess McClain (2:20:49 personal best), while US half-marathon record holder Weini Kelati makes her 42.195km debut.
50 years of five boroughs, and a new line through the Bronx
Sunday marks 50 years since the New York City Marathon expanded beyond Central Park into its five-borough layout in 1976. NYRR has altered the route through the Bronx for the first time since 2011, cutting the number of turns between miles 20 and 21 from seven to five.
Read also: Fifteen goals, thirteen games: the Ronaldo countdown to 1,000
The point-to-point course crosses five bridges, Verrazzano, Pulaski, Queensboro, Willis Avenue and Madison Avenue, before the uphill drag along Fifth Avenue between miles 23 and 24.
In the wheelchair races, seven-time champion Marcel Hug of Switzerland headlines the men’s field, with world record holder Catherine Debrunner and 22-time Paralympic medalist Tatyana McFadden among the women’s entries.
Open-division champions earn $100,000 in base prize money and wheelchair winners $50,000, with a $50,000 bonus if a course record falls. ESPN2 carries the race nationally from 8am to 11:30am ET, with a finish-line show on ABC from 3pm to 5pm.
