60,000 Runners Expected for Record-Setting NYC Marathon Sunday
The 50th anniversary of the five-borough course draws a historic field including 40 Olympians and Paralympians.
By Julian Schulz ·
A record 60,000 runners are expected to start the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday. The event marks the 50th anniversary of the five-borough route, which shifted the race from local loops in Central Park to a major global sporting event. Millions of spectators are projected to line the streets from Staten Island to the finish line in Central Park.
Hellen Obiri returns to defend her women's title. She set the course record in 2025 with a time of 2 hours, 19 minutes, and 51 seconds. That mark was nearly three minutes faster than the previous best set by Margaret Okayo in 2003. Obiri faces strong competition from 2024 champion Sheila Chepkirui and three-time Olympic champion Sifan Hassan.
The American women's field includes half marathon record holder Weini Kelati, who will make her marathon debut. She runs alongside Jess McClain and Fiona O'Keeffe. The professional field features 40 Olympians and Paralympians, 25 medalists from major championships, and 22 national record holders.
Benson Kipruto defends the men's title after winning last year by the smallest margin in race history. He races against former champions Geoffrey Kamworor and Abdi Nageeye. American contenders include Conner Mantz, Zouhair Talbi, and Joe Klecker.
In the wheelchair divisions, seven-time champion Marcel Hug seeks another title against former winners Daniel Romanchuk and David Weir. Susannah Scaroni aims for a third consecutive win just under three months after giving birth to her first child. Tatyana McFadden, seeking her sixth New York title and 25th overall, expressed support for Scaroni. McFadden said, "I'm excited for her. I think it's wonderful to see, you know, women, and mothers coming back and racing."
Eyewitness News anchors Liz Cho and Mike Marza will run the course to support the Alzheimer's Association. They run in honor of Bill Ritter, who stepped away from his anchor role in June after revealing his diagnosis. The race begins Sunday morning with a pre-show at 7:00 a.m. on Channel 7.
Source: ABC7 New York
