Running News Daily

MBR UNIQUE RACES: The Big Five Marathon is a marathon race situated on the savannahs of South Africa. The race gets its name from the famous animals of Africa referred to as The Big Five Game: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. The course of The Big Five Marathon runs through the private game reserve Entabeni in the Limpopo Province, situated between Johannesburg and the Kruger National Park. The Big Five Marathon was started in 2005, and has been held annually since then.

From an 800m junior to a world road-running champion — and now a New York City Marathon winner. Andreas Almgren’s remarkable transformation has reached another extraordinary level.

Sweden’s Andreas Almgren has produced a marathon debut for the history books, winning the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon in 2:06:01 and becoming the first man to win the iconic race on his debut over the 26.2-mile distance.

The 31-year-old Swede arrived in New York without a marathon on his résumé, yet he handled the demanding five-borough course with the confidence and composure of a seasoned marathoner. By the finish, he had established himself as the latest champion of one of the most prestigious races in world road running.

Almgren crossed the line 13 seconds clear of Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa, who finished second in 2:06:14. The victory completed a remarkable progression for an athlete whose career has taken him far beyond his original middle-distance roots.

Almgren’s historic victory came in an incredibly tight men’s race, with just 16 seconds separating the top 10 finishers. Yemaneberhan Crippa followed closely in second, while Kamohelo Mofolo secured an impressive third place, only 25 seconds behind the winner. Defending champion Benson Kipruto finished fourth, with Haftu Strintzos fifth and Zouhair Talbi sixth. Ryota Kondo, Ahmed Muhumed, Geoffrey Kamworor and Ryan Ford completed a remarkably competitive top 10, with several athletes separated by only seconds at the finish.

2026 TCS NEW YORK CITY MARATHON — MEN'S TOP 10

1. Andreas Almgren — Sweden — 2:06:01

2. Yemaneberhan Crippa — Italy — 2:06:14

3. Kamohelo Mofolo — Lesotho — 2:06:26

4. Benson Kipruto — Kenya — 2:06:27

5. Haftu Strintzos — Australia — 2:06:34

6. Zouhair Talbi — United States — 2:06:43

7. Ahmed Muhumed — United States — 2:07:08

8. Geoffrey Kamworor — Kenya — 2:07:09

9. Ryota Kondo — Japan — 2:07:09

10. Ryan Ford — United States — 2:07:17 

The New York triumph comes only weeks after Almgren became the World Road Running Championships half marathon champion in Copenhagen. There, he stormed to victory in 58:06, setting a new European record and underlining the endurance that would eventually carry him to marathon glory.

His 2026 season had already been extraordinary before he arrived in New York. In January, Almgren ran 26:45 for 10km in Valencia, continuing his rapid rise on the roads. He later captured the European 10,000m title, adding another major championship crown to an increasingly impressive résumé.

He also remains the European record-holder over 5,000m, highlighting the extraordinary range that has become a defining feature of his career.

But perhaps the most remarkable chapter of Almgren’s journey began much earlier.

As a junior, he was primarily an 800m runner, winning bronze at the 2014 World U20 Championships. Over the years, he gradually transformed himself from a middle-distance specialist into one of Europe’s leading long-distance athletes, moving successfully through the 5,000m and 10,000m, then onto the roads and eventually the marathon.

Twelve years after standing on the podium as an 800m junior, Almgren has now conquered one of the world’s most famous marathons.

And he did it on his very first attempt.

His performance in New York was more than a victory. It was the latest and perhaps most spectacular milestone in a career defined by reinvention, range and an extraordinary ability to keep raising the limits of what seemed possible.

Andreas Almgren came to New York for his first marathon. He left as a champion — and a piece of history.

Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui has conquered the streets of New York once again, claiming a second TCS New York City Marathon title after producing a perfectly timed late surge to win a thrilling women’s race in 2:24:36.

Chepkirui, who previously triumphed in New York in 2024, remained composed through a fiercely contested battle before making her decisive move in the closing stages. The Kenyan held off defending champion and compatriot Hellen Obiri to reclaim the title in one of the most dramatic finishes of the 2026 World Marathon Majors season.

But behind the winner, American Jess McClain delivered one of the biggest moments of the race.

McClain produced a sensational finishing kick, closing rapidly on Chepkirui and Obiri as the trio approached the finish. After trailing the leading pair late in the race, she timed her move brilliantly and powered past Obiri in the closing metres.

McClain stopped the clock at 2:24:42, just six seconds behind Chepkirui and one second ahead of Obiri, who finished third in 2:24:43.

Age proved to be nothing more than a number as 46-year-old Kenyan veteran Edna Kiplagat produced another remarkable performance on the streets of New York, finishing fourth in 2:25:42. Just over a minute behind winner Sheila Chepkirui, Kiplagat once again demonstrated her remarkable longevity and ability to compete at the highest level, mixing it with a new generation of elite marathoners in one of the world’s most prestigious races.

The depth of the women’s field was further underlined by the performances behind the podium. Kenya continued to dominate the leading group, with Mercy Chelangat fifth in 2:25:46, while the United States placed three athletes inside the top eight. Viola Cheptoo also secured ninth in 2:28:34, giving Kenya five runners among the top 10. The results reflected the extraordinary quality and competitiveness of the 2026 New York City Marathon women’s race, with the leading athletes separated by only a handful of minutes.

2026 TCS NEW YORK CITY MARATHON — WOMEN'S TOP 10

1. Sheila Chepkirui — Kenya — 2:24:36

2. Jessica McClain — United States — 2:24:42

3. Hellen Obiri — Kenya — 2:24:43

4. Edna Kiplagat — Kenya — 2:25:42

5. Mercy Chelangat — Kenya — 2:25:46

6. Carrie Ellwood — United States — 2:26:28

7. Weini Kelati — United States — 2:26:51

8. Paige Wood — United States — 2:27:29

9. Viola Cheptoo — Kenya — 2:28:34

10. Fabienne Königstein — Germany — 2:28:49

The American’s performance was historic. McClain became the first U.S. woman since Shalane Flanagan in 2018 to reach the New York City Marathon podium, ending an eight-year wait for an American woman to finish among the top three in the iconic race.

Her runner-up finish also puts McClain in a strong position on the road to the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, adding another significant milestone to an already remarkable day.

For Obiri, the result was a rare departure from the top step in New York. The defending champion and course-record holder fought throughout the closing stages, repeatedly challenging Chepkirui before ultimately finishing just seven seconds behind the winner.

The Kenyan battle remained intense deep into Central Park, with Chepkirui and Obiri exchanging surges before Chepkirui finally managed to create enough separation. McClain then produced her spectacular late charge, overtaking Obiri in the final stretch to steal second place by the narrowest of margins.

Chepkirui’s 2:24:36 secured another chapter in her growing New York legacy, while McClain’s 2:24:42 announced her arrival on one of marathon running’s biggest stages.

In a race decided by seconds, Chepkirui had the winning move, McClain had the biggest late surge, and Obiri was left to settle for third.

New York once again delivered a finish worthy of its reputation.

Irish athletics is mourning the devastating loss of Ciara Mageean, who has died at the age of 34 following a courageous battle with cancer.

Mageean, one of Ireland’s most accomplished middle-distance runners, passed away at 6:30 a.m. surrounded by her loved ones, according to a statement shared by her family on social media.

“At 6.30am this morning, Ciara lost her battle with cancer surrounded by her loved ones,” the statement read. “A beloved daughter, sister, wife, friend and inspiration to so many, she will be deeply missed.”

The message concluded with the Irish blessing: “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.”

Born in Portaferry, County Down, on 12 March 1992, Mageean built an exceptional career in the 1500m, combining remarkable talent with resilience through years of injuries and setbacks.

Her defining sporting moment came at the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome, where she finally claimed the major outdoor title that had eluded her. In a fiercely contested 1500m final, Mageean produced a powerful finish to win gold in 4:04.66, completing a remarkable European medal collection after bronze in 2016 and silver in 2022.

That victory was the culmination of years of perseverance. Mageean had already established herself among Ireland’s leading middle-distance athletes, representing her country at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. She was also selected for Paris 2024, but an Achilles injury prevented her from taking part in the 1500m.

Her achievements extended beyond the European Championships. Mageean won silver in the 1500m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and finished fourth at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest. She also collected European indoor bronze in 2019 and established herself as a record-holder across several distances.

Her personal best of 3:55.87 in the 1500m, set in 2023, remains an Irish national record, while she also held Irish records for 800m, 1000m and the mile.

But Mageean’s legacy reaches far beyond times, medals and championship results. Her career was defined by determination, openness and an ability to inspire people through the difficult moments as much as the triumphs.

In July 2025, Mageean publicly revealed that she had been diagnosed with stage-four bowel cancer. Even as she confronted an extraordinarily difficult chapter away from the track, she continued to demonstrate the courage and spirit that had defined her athletic career.

Her death brings an extraordinarily accomplished sporting life to a heartbreaking end at just 34.

From Portaferry to the Olympic Games and ultimately the top step of the European podium, Mageean left an indelible mark on Irish athletics. Her European title in Rome will remain one of the defining moments of her career, but so too will the resilience she showed throughout a journey marked by adversity.

Ciara Mageean leaves behind a legacy that extends well beyond the 1500m. She was an Olympian, a European champion, a national record-holder and, above all, an inspiration to countless people who followed her journey.

Ciara Mageean, 1992–2026. Her name will remain part of Irish athletics history.

Kenya’s Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba produced a remarkable performance at the 48th Istanbul Marathon, winning the men’s race in a dramatic finish and smashing the course record in the process.

Kipchumba crossed the line in 2:08:44.9, holding off Ethiopia’s Sufaro Woliyi Kebeto, who finished just 10 seconds behind in 2:08:54.7. Kenya’s Vincent Kipyegon Ronoh completed the podium in 2:08:57.7, with all three athletes breaking 2:09 in a fiercely contested race.

The victory also saw Kipchumba erase the previous Istanbul Marathon course record of 2:09:44, set by fellow Kenyan Daniel Kibet in 2019. His performance improved the long-standing mark by almost one minute and added another significant achievement to Kenya’s rich marathon tradition.

The race remained closely fought deep into the closing stages, with Kipchumba, Kebeto and Ronoh separated by only seconds. Kipchumba ultimately produced the decisive finish to claim the title on one of the most distinctive marathon courses in the world.

The Istanbul Marathon, famous for connecting two continents, takes runners from the Asian side of the city across the Bosphorus and into European Istanbul before the finish near the historic Sultanahmet area. The unique setting once again provided the backdrop for a memorable day of elite marathon racing.

The women’s race delivered an equally dominant performance from Ethiopia, with Kasanesh Ayenew Baze leading an Ethiopian sweep of the podium.

Ayenew Baze won in 2:24:40.6, finishing seven seconds ahead of compatriot Azmera Abreha Gdey, who recorded 2:24:47.2. Diribe Hirko Alemu completed the podium in 2:25:00.6, giving Ethiopia all three medals.

Hirko’s performance was particularly notable as she was making her marathon debut, immediately announcing herself with a 2:25 clocking and a place among the leading finishers.

The 48th edition of the Istanbul Marathon thus belonged to two of East Africa’s great distance-running nations. Kenya took the men’s title and course record through Kipchumba, while Ethiopia delivered a commanding clean sweep in the women’s race.

In the end, Istanbul witnessed a day of fast racing, narrow margins and historic performances, with Kipchumba’s record-breaking victory providing the defining moment of the 2026 edition.

Ethiopia enjoyed a memorable double triumph at the 2026 Hangzhou Marathon, with Kemal Husen and Kuftu Tahir Dadiso claiming the men’s and women’s titles respectively after battling through challenging weather conditions on Sunday, November 1.

The 2026 edition of the Hangzhou Marathon proved to be as much a test of resilience as it was of speed. As the race progressed, rising temperatures, humidity and an increasingly difficult thermal sensation placed enormous demands on the elite field, particularly during the closing stages.

In the men’s race, Kemal Husen emerged as the strongest competitor, producing a determined performance to secure victory in 2:11:16.

The race gradually developed into a battle of attrition as the difficult conditions began to take their toll. Rather than allowing the heat and humidity to dictate the outcome, Husen remained composed through the decisive stages and found enough strength to establish himself at the front.

His 2:11:16 was enough to put the Ethiopian on top of the podium and crown him the 2026 Hangzhou Marathon men’s champion.

Morocco’s Mustapha Houdadi followed closely behind, delivering an impressive performance to claim the silver medal in 2:12:04. Houdadi showed considerable strength in the latter stages, holding his position despite the increasingly demanding conditions.

Kenya’s Nicholas Kirwa completed the men’s podium after another hard-fought performance. Kirwa battled through the final kilometres to finish third in 2:12:50, ensuring Kenya also had a representative among the leading finishers.

The women’s race produced another Ethiopian celebration.

Kuftu Tahir Dadiso captured the women’s title in commanding fashion, crossing the finish line in 2:26:03 after navigating the increasingly difficult conditions with patience and determination.

Dadiso’s victory was built on strong race management. As the temperature and thermal stress intensified, the leading group began to feel the effects of the weather, transforming the final kilometres into a demanding test of endurance.

While others struggled to maintain their rhythm, Dadiso remained composed and continued to press forward. Her ability to manage the conditions allowed her to pull clear and secure a convincing victory.

The result also gave Ethiopia a dominant one-two finish in the women’s race.

Fellow Ethiopian Amid Fozya Jemal produced a gritty performance to take second place in 2:29:04. Jemal fought through the sweltering conditions to maintain her position and ensure that the top two places belonged to Ethiopia.

Kenya’s Mercy Kwambai completed the women’s podium, fighting relentlessly through the closing kilometres to secure third place in 2:30:23.

Kwambai’s bronze medal was a testament to her resilience on a day when the weather presented an additional opponent. With the heat and humidity placing increasing strain on the athletes, she dug deep to maintain her position and finish among the leading international contenders.

Together, the two races produced an intriguing picture of endurance under pressure. Ethiopia swept both individual titles and added a women’s silver medal, while Kenya collected bronze medals in both the men’s and women’s races.

The results also underlined the importance of adapting to conditions in a marathon. On a day when the weather made fast running increasingly difficult, victory belonged not simply to the athletes with the greatest speed, but to those who could conserve their energy, remain mentally composed and produce their strongest running when the race became hardest.

For Kemal Husen and Kuftu Tahir Dadiso, that balance proved decisive.

Husen conquered the men’s race in 2:11:16, while Dadiso dominated the women’s contest in 2:26:03.

Two champions. Two demanding races. One unforgettable Ethiopian double in Hangzhou.

The heat tested them. The marathon challenged them. But Ethiopia conquered Hangzhou.