The 2026 New York City Marathon became the largest marathon on record, with 61,146 runners reaching the finish line in Central Park on Sunday, November 1. A total of 61,529 runners started the race, according to results released Monday by New York Road Runners (NYRR).
The finishers’ total surpassed the 59,830 recorded at the 2026 London Marathon. It also exceeded New York’s previous record of 59,226 finishers in 2025, after 55,646 completed the race in 2024. This was the third consecutive year the event set a new participation high.
The record coincided with the 50th anniversary of the five-borough course. First run across Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan in 1976, the route now attracts runners from around the world. This year’s participants came from 153 countries.
Sweden’s Andreas Almgren won the men’s race in 2:06:01, becoming the first Swedish runner to win a division at the New York City Marathon. It was also his marathon debut. Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui claimed her second title in three years, finishing the women’s race in 2:24:36.
Jess McClain placed second in 2:24:42, one second ahead of defending champion Hellen Obiri. McClain became the first American woman to reach the open race podium since Shalane Flanagan in 2018. On the men’s side, four Americans recorded the fastest U.S. times ever on the New York course, led by sixth-place finisher Zouhair Talbi in 2:06:43.
In the wheelchair races, Switzerland’s Marcel Hug earned his eighth men’s title in 1:28:14, one second ahead of American Daniel Romanchuk. Catherine Debrunner won the women’s race in 1:40:02, securing her second title.
The event also exceeded its $100 million charity fundraising goal. The oldest finisher was 90-year-old American Danil Farkash, who completed the course in 11:24:18. The youngest was Lucy Weld, who finished in 4:12:06 on her 18th birthday.
Sources: Runner's World.