Sweden's Andreas Almgren won the New York City Marathon, clocking 2 hours 6 minutes 1 second in a spectacular debut at the distance on Sunday.

The 31-year-old Almgren, in the spotlight after setting a European half-marathon record in Copenhagen last month, powered through the final mile to capture the victory over Italian Yemaneberhan Crippa, another runner better known for shorter distances.

Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui won the women's race for a second time, repelling the challenge of last year's winner Hellen Obiri — who faded to finish third behind American Jessica McClain.

It is not the first time Chepkirui, who won in a time of 2hr 24.36, has dashed Obiri's dreams of successive wins.

In 2024 she edged then-defending champion Obiri on the streets of the Big Apple.

The race marked the 50th anniversary of the current incarnation of the NYC Marathon, which links the city's five boroughs of Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan.

The race was first run in 1970 when the course was confined to Central Park, the race becoming a city-wide event in 1976. (AFP)




Edited by Tony Sabine