November 2026 | 698 words | 3-minute read, 23 slides
Sunday, November 1, 2026. US Air Force helicopter pilot Hanna Born stood at the start line of the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon alongside more than 60,000 runners.
For Ms Born, the race was far more than a test of endurance — it was a deeply personal mission. A survivor of the September 11 terrorist attacks, she was just three years old and inside the Pentagon's daycare centre when the building was struck. Through her Run to Remember 2,977 initiative, Ms Born took on the marathon to honour the 2,977 lives lost that day, committing to run one mile in memory of each victim.
Also among the sea of runners was Jesús Trejo, a runner on the autism spectrum and the father of a non-verbal autistic son. Determined to challenge misconceptions about invisible disabilities, particularly within the Latino community, Mr Trejo turned to running as a source of strength and inspiration — not only for himself, but also for his son. The journey to the start line, however, was anything but easy. As recently as January, completing a six-kilometre run felt like an enormous challenge. Yet Mr Trejo persevered, arriving at the marathon start with a determination that embodied the resilience and grit for which the running community is known.
These were some of the remarkable stories that unfolded at the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, which recorded 61,146 finishers — ranging in age from 18 to 90 years — the largest number ever for a marathon worldwide and the third consecutive year the event has broken the world record for participation. The event also marked a significant fundraising milestone, with New York Road Runners' Official Charity Partner Programme surpassing $100 million in fundraising ahead of the 2026 race.
Race to the finish
The 26.2-mile journey began on Staten Island, where runners crossed the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge before making their way through Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx, returning to Manhattan for the iconic finish in Central Park. This year’s race held special significance as New York Road Runners celebrated the 50th anniversary of the five-borough course, first introduced in 1976. What started in 1970 with just 55 finishers running multiple laps of Central Park has come a long way, evolving into the world’s largest marathon.
The historic edition also produced memorable performances at the elite level. In the men’s race, Sweden's Andreas Almgren delivered a remarkable marathon debut, winning in 2:06:01 to become the first Swedish champion in race history and the first runner to win the New York City Marathon on debut since Gebre Gebremariam in 2010.
In a nail-biting finish, Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui surged to victory in 2:24:36, claiming her second TCS New York City Marathon title in three years and becoming only the 10th woman to be a repeat champion. American Jess McClain finished a close second in 2:24:42, the best result by an American woman since Shalane Flanagan placed third in 2018.
Swiss athletes completed a clean sweep of the wheelchair titles. Marcel Hug secured a record eighth TCS New York City Marathon crown in 1:28:14, edging out his nearest challenger by a single second. Catherine Debrunner produced a dominant performance to win in 1:40:02, finishing 8 minutes and 26 seconds ahead of the field — the fifth-largest winning margin in the history of the women's wheelchair division.
While elite athletes chased records and victories, thousands of runners carried personal causes, memories and missions across the city's five boroughs, reflecting the spirit of a race where the pursuit of personal bests and the forging of meaningful connections go hand in hand.
With you for the long run
For nearly two decades, TCS has been a steadfast supporter of marathons around the world. The company currently partners with 14 marathons and running events globally, including five of the eight Abbott World Marathon Majors. According to the second edition of the Brand Finance Marathons 50 report, TCS-partnered races generated $3.2 billion in economic impact for host cities and raised $315 million for charity in 2025.
- Sharmistha Choudhury
View the slideshow below
TCS New York City Marathon Highlights
