NEW YORK — Roughly 60,000 participants took to the pavement on Sunday, Nov. 1, filling the streets across five boroughs for the 2026 New York City Marathon.
The 26.2-mile endurance test kicked off on Staten Island before guiding runners through Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx, ultimately wrapping up at the finish line inside Central Park. Rolling Stone reported that more than two million spectators were expected to line the course, cheering on an expansive field of elite contenders, everyday racers, and notable personalities.
Defending champions and elite competitors
At the front of the professional packs, reigning champions returned to defend their crowns. Benson Kipruto, who captured the men’s open division title with a mark of 2:08:09, returned to headline the men’s lineup, according to The Independent. On the women’s side, Hellen Obiri arrived seeking another victory after establishing the women’s event record of 2:19:51 during the 2025 competition.
The race through the five boroughs presents a unique tactical test compared to faster, flatter courses, featuring repeated climbs across major bridges. The Independent noted that winners in the open divisions can secure an additional $50,000 bonus if they eclipse the existing course benchmarks. Tamirat Tola holds the men’s standard of 2:04:58, set in 2023, while Obiri owns the women’s top time from her record-setting performance a year ago.
International runners also took on the course with broader goals in mind. British athletes Patrick Dever, who earned a third-place podium finish last year, and Jack Rowe aimed to post competitive times to help secure Olympic qualifying standards and world ranking points ahead of the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, The Independent reported.
Celebrities and staggered starts
Beyond the elite athletes, the massive field featured several recognizable figures from entertainment and athletics. Former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber joined the runners, alongside mentalist Oz Pearlman and television host Nev Schulman, USA TODAY reported. Rolling Stone noted that actors Jennifer Connelly and Patina Miller, as well as Dylan Efron, were also among the notable participants scheduled to take part.
Organizers launched the competition using staggered waves beginning at 8 a.m. Eastern Time. The schedule opened with the men’s professional wheelchair division, followed closely by the women’s wheelchair racers, handcyclists, and select athletes with disabilities, according to The Independent. The elite women’s open division departed at 8:35 a.m. Eastern Time, with the men’s professional division following at 9:05 a.m. Eastern Time.
Watching the finish and next steps
Live coverage of the race aired nationally on ESPN2 and locally in the New York metropolitan region on WABC-TV Channel 7, while international audiences followed the event through TNT Sports and HBO Max in the United Kingdom, media outlets reported. Streaming platforms including Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV, and YouTube TV also carried feeds throughout the morning.
As thousands of racers continue working their way through the final miles toward Central Park on Sunday afternoon, official podium finishes, division placements, and complete timing results remain pending verification. Broadcast network ABC is scheduled to televise a wrap-up broadcast from the finish line later in the day to highlight the final outcomes and celebrate the runners completing the race.
