NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — About 60,000 runners are participating in the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon as the race takes place across all five boroughs on Sunday.
The New York City Marathon began in 1970, with the first six editions held entirely in Central Park. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic five-borough course that transformed the event from a local road race into one of the greatest sporting spectacles in the world. Millions of spectators line the streets from Staten Island to Central Park.
Watch the TCS NYC Marathon live Sunday on WABC-TV, Channel 7, starting with pre-race coverage at 7 a.m. ET. Coverage of the race will be live from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET. ABC7NY.com will also feature a live view of the finish line from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.
Two-time champion Hellen Obiri looks to defend her title a year after setting a women’s course record of 2:19:51, almost three minutes faster than the previous record set by Margaret Okayo in 2003.
Defending champions Benson Kipruto and Marcel Hug lead a star-studded professional field that includes 40 Olympians and Paralympians, 25 Olympic, Paralympic and World Championship medalists and 22 national record holders.
MORE: TCS NYC Marathon Course by the Mile
Obiri faces a formidable challenge from 2024 champion Sheila Chepkirui, three-time Olympic champion Sifan Hassan and one of the strongest American contingents ever assembled. Leading this group is American half marathon record holder Weini Kelati, who is making her marathon debut alongside Jess McClain and Fiona O’Keeffe.
The men’s peloton faces another showdown after Kipruto won last year’s title by the smallest margin in the race’s history. Former champions Geoffrey Kamworor and Abdi Nageeye return, while America’s main hopes rest with Conner Mantz, Zouhair Talbi and Joe Klecker.
MORE: Road closures and public transport changes due to the marathon
The wheelchair divisions are also busy. Seven-time New York champion Marcel Hug faces former winners Daniel Romanchuk and David Weir, while Tatyana McFadden, Catherine Debrunner and Madison de Rozario lead a women’s field filled with championship pedigree.
Two-time reigning wheelchair champion Susannah Scaroni is aiming for a third consecutive title less than three months after giving birth to her first child.
“It’s crazy,” said McFadden, who is aiming for his sixth New York Marathon title and 25th overall. “I’m excited for her. I think it’s wonderful to see, you know, women and mothers coming back and running. We need more support and encouragement.”
Dozens of celebrities are also participating, including Eyewitness News anchors Liz Cho and Mike Marza, who are showing up to support the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of Bill Ritter, who stepped down as anchor in June after revealing his Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Dozens of celebrities are also participating, including Eyewitness News anchors Liz Cho and Mike Marza, who will appear in support of the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of Bill Ritter, who stepped down as anchor in June after revealing his Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
—
Some information from the Associated Press.
To learn more about the 2026 TCS New York Marathon, click here. Find more Eyewitness News coverage at abc7ny.com/nycmarathon.
ABC 7/WABC-TV and ESPN2 have hosted the award-winning broadcast of the TCS New York City Marathon since 2013.
The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon will take place on Sunday, November 1. Coverage on Channel 7 and wherever you stream ABC 7 New York begins with pre-race coverage on Marathon Sunday at 7:00 a.m. Live coverage of Sunday’s marathon begins at 8:00 a.m. only on Channel 7 and ESPN2.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All rights reserved.
Gn headline
