NYC Marathon: Record field expected for 50th anniversary run

Key Points:

• Approximately 60,000 runners are participating in the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, which takes place across all five boroughs on Sunday, marking the 50th anniversary of the iconic five-borough course.
• Two-time women's champion Hellen Obiri aims to defend her title and course record, facing strong competition from 2024 champion Sheila Chepkirui, three-time Olympic champion Sifan Hassan, and a strong American contingent led by half-marathon record holder Weini Kelati.
• The men's race features defending champion Benson Kipruto, former champions Geoffrey Kamworor and Abdi Nageeye, and top American contenders Conner Mantz, Zouhair Talbi, and Joe Klecker.
• The wheelchair divisions include seven-time champion Marcel Hug and former winners Daniel Romanchuk and David Weir, with women's contenders like Tatyana McFadden, Catherine Debrunner, Madison de Rozario, and two-time defending champion Susannah Scaroni, who is competing less than three months after giving birth.
• The marathon also includes celebrity participants such as Eyewitness News anchors Liz Cho and Mike Marza, running in support of the Alzheimer's Association in honor of Bill Ritter, who recently disclosed his Alzheimer's diagnosis.