New York Marathon: Almgren Stuns on Debut, Chepkirui Wins a Seven-Second Three-Way Battle

NEW YORK: Andreas Almgren of Sweden won the New York Marathon on his debut in 2 hours, 6 minutes and 1 second, but the story of this race is not about one runner alone. In the men's race, the top three athletes finished within a total span of 25 seconds, an unusually small margin for one of the world's most prestigious marathons. Yemaneberhan Crippa of Italy finished second, while Kamohelo Mofolo of Lesotho took third. The tiny gap between the three suggests the race was decided in the final kilometre and that nobody was able to build an early lead. The men's race unfolded as a tight, tactical affair. Using Almgren's 2:06:01 as the base, Crippa crossed the line at 2:06:14 and Mofolo at 2:06:26 — 13 seconds between first and second, and 12 seconds between second and third. Traditional marathons usually produce gaps of minutes between the leading runners, but here three athletes finished inside 25 seconds. It points to a race in which nobody wanted to take the risk of breaking away early and every contender saved energy for the closing stages. For Almgren, this season had already been rich in promise. In August he won the 10,000 metres gold at the European Championships, and in September he set a European record in the half marathon. Those two results built the expectations that followed him to New York. His track speed and his endurance over 21.1 kilometres form exactly the profile that can succeed over 42.195 kilometres, and the race confirmed it. The most discussed aspect of the victory is its historical context. Almgren is the first European-born runner to win the New York Marathon in 30 years. The last was Giacomo Leone of Italy in 2026. That means the title stayed largely with African and North American runners for three decades, and that run has now ended. It is worth noting, however, that this figure is based on place of birth rather than nationality. Many athletes who represent European nations in long-distance racing were born in East Africa. If the count were made on citizenship, the picture could look different. The phrase 'European-born' is therefore technically more precise, but it also carries a clear limit that readers should keep in mind when interpreting the result. After the finish, Almgren was visibly emotional. He said his legs were with him on the day and that he was on the verge of crying. That reaction is natural for a runner who arrives at a course as demanding as New York for the first time and takes the title immediately. Crippa and Mofolo, meanwhile, drew far less attention. Crippa took second in 2:06:14 and Mofolo third in 2:06:26. Both kept the pressure on until the end, but neither could answer the pace Almgren found in the closing stages. It is rare for three marathon runners to finish within 25 seconds, and that says something about the quality of this field. The women's race was even tighter. Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya, 35, won in 2 hours, 24 minutes and 36 seconds. It was her second victory at the New York Marathon. This time, though, the margin was tiny. Jessica McClain of the United States finished second in 2:24:42, just six seconds back. Hellen Obiri of Kenya took third in 2:24:43, only one second behind McClain. That means the top three in the women's race finished within seven seconds of each other, and the gap between second and third was a single second. By comparison, the men's top three were separated by 25 seconds. On paper, the women's race was the far more competitive and the more dramatic of the two, with three runners still in contention for the title in the final few hundred metres. Chepkirui spoke openly about her tactics afterwards. She called Obiri a very strong opponent and said she needed to use her speed at the right moment. Her words make clear that this race was not settled early but in the last kilometre. Her comments matter because she is the only voice to describe what actually happened inside the race. Obiri's presence is significant. She is an experienced Kenyan runner, and Chepkirui's reference to her strength suggests the duel that lasted until the final seconds was between the two of them. McClain's second place also deserves attention. She kept the pressure on until the end and missed by only six seconds. A single second either way could have changed the picture, which is what makes this race special. Results like these show how high the standard of competition is among the leading women and how costly a small mistake can be. The New York Marathon is defined by its five-borough route, which passes through Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan. The course includes several bridges, elevation changes and weather challenges that make the race harder still. Starting on Staten Island and finishing in Manhattan, the journey tests the mind as much as the body. The clearest theme of this year's race was parity. The men's top three finished within 25 seconds and the women's top three within seven. Elite marathons are becoming more competitive and the gap between the top runners is shrinking fast. Where titles used to be settled midway through the race, they are now decided in the final kilometre. Leading results: Men: 1. Andreas Almgren (Sweden) 2:06:01, 2. Yemaneberhan Crippa (Italy) 2:06:14, 3. Kamohelo Mofolo (Lesotho) 2:06:26. Women: 1. Sheila Chepkirui (Kenya) 2:24:36, 2. Jessica McClain (USA) 2:24:42, 3. Hellen Obiri (Kenya) 2:24:43. The significance of Almgren's win also lies in the fact that he was racing New York for the first time and took the title outright. Winning on a course this demanding at the first attempt is not easy. Given his track record and recent form, the result is not a surprise, but considering the unpredictability of the marathon it will be counted as a major achievement. What remains to be seen is where this victory takes his career. For European runners, the New York title has been out of reach for three decades, and now that the run has ended the race could become even more competitive in the years ahead. Almgren now has a new stage on which to prove his ability, and his journey from the track to the marathon will not stop here. In the women's race, Chepkirui's second victory keeps her among the leading names on the circuit, while the presence of runners like Obiri and McClain promises more tight battles ahead. Three runners finishing within seven seconds is proof that competition at the top is now finely balanced and that no one can take a title lightly.