The 2026 New York Marathon odds aren’t available yet for the final World Marathon Major of the year, and we’ve got two defending champions looking to repeat! Benson Kipruto and Hellen Obiri headline strong fields, but can they hold off the competition in the Big Apple?
- New York Marathon Route
- New York Marathon Betting Favorites
- New York Marathon Weather Forecast
- New York Marathon By the Numbers
- New York Marathon Previous Winners
- New York Marathon Betting Predictions
The New York Marathon odds could be available at Bovada, which has offered betting markets on both the men’s and women’s races in previous years, usually a day or two before the event.
I’ll keep an eye out and update this post if the 2026 odds become available.
New York Marathon 2026 Route
The New York Marathon route takes runners through all five boroughs, starting on Staten Island near the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. From there, runners head through Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx before returning to Manhattan for the finish in Central Park.
There is one change for 2026! For the first time in 15 years, organizers have adjusted the Bronx section. Runners will now travel along East 135th Street, Alexander Avenue, East 141st Street, Third Avenue, and East 138th Street before crossing the Madison Avenue Bridge.
The marathon remains 26.2 miles, with several challenging climbs. The bridges and rolling hills make New York considerably tougher than flatter races like the Chicago Marathon.
2026 New York Marathon Betting Favorites
Let’s start by looking at the leading contenders in the men’s and women’s divisions for the 2026 New York Marathon.
Men’s Favorites
These three should be near the top of the New York Marathon odds when they’re released!
Benson Kipruto
Kipruto returns to defend his crown after winning the 2025 New York Marathon in a thrilling finish! The Kenyan crossed the line in 2:08:09, edging Alexander Mutiso Munyao by just 0.16 seconds in the closest men’s finish in race history.
Kipruto also has a personal best of 2:02:16, making him one of the fastest runners in this year’s field. He has won major marathons in Boston (2021), Chicago (2022), Tokyo (2024), and New York (2025). Kipruto also won bronze in the marathon event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 35-year-old knows how to handle this difficult course, and he’ll be among the top choices in the 2026 New York Marathon betting odds!
Abdi Nageeye
Nageeye won the New York Marathon in 2024, finishing in 2:07:39 for his first World Marathon Major victory. The Dutch runner also earned a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, so he knows how to perform when the pressure is on!
The 37-year-old has a personal best of 2:04:20 and plenty of experience on New York’s demanding streets. He’ll be looking to reclaim the title after Kipruto’s victory last year.
Nageeye might not have the fastest personal best in this field, but his tactical ability and finishing kick make him a serious contender for another victory!
Conner Mantz
Mantz is one of America’s brightest marathon stars, and he’ll have the home crowd behind him in New York! The 29-year-old set an American record of 2:04:43 at the 2025 Chicago Marathon, finishing fourth against an elite international field.
The American also competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics and has continued to improve over the marathon distance. However, New York’s hills present a different challenge from Chicago’s flatter course.
Mantz will have stiff competition from the Kenyans and Ethiopians, but don’t be surprised if he makes a push for the podium in the final miles!
Women’s Favorites
Now, let’s look at the women’s 2026 New York Marathon favorites, where the defending champion will be difficult to beat!
Hellen Obiri
Obiri was sensational in New York last year, winning in 2:19:51 and breaking the women’s course record! It was her second victory in the Big Apple after also winning in 2023, and she now has her sights set on a third title.
The Kenyan has enjoyed another strong 2026 season, winning the NYC Half Marathon and running a personal best of 2:15:53 while finishing second in London.
Obiri has the experience, speed, and confidence to dominate this challenging course. With Sifan Hassan withdrawing from the race, she’ll be the woman to beat in the 2026 New York Marathon odds!
Sheila Chepkirui
Chepkirui knows what it takes to win in New York, capturing the 2024 title in 2:24:35 for her first World Marathon Major victory. She returned last year and finished third in 2:20:24, proving she can compete with the world’s best on this course.
The 35-year-old Kenyan has a personal best of 2:17:29, putting her among the fastest women in this year’s field. She’ll be looking to reclaim her crown after Obiri’s record-breaking performance in 2025.
Chepkirui has the experience to challenge for another victory, but she’ll need an outstanding finish to get past her Kenyan rival!
Jessica McClain
McClain could be America’s best hope for a podium finish in the women’s race! The 34-year-old ran a personal best of 2:20:49 at the 2026 Boston Marathon, establishing herself as one of the country’s leading distance runners.
Her experience on Boston’s challenging course should help her navigate New York’s hills and bridges. She’ll also benefit from Fiona O’Keeffe’s withdrawal, although several talented Americans remain in the field.
McClain faces tough competition from the Kenyan runners, but she’s improving at the right time. A top-five finish would be an excellent result, and a podium spot isn’t out of the question!
New York Marathon Weather Forecast for 2026
The 2026 New York Marathon takes place on Sunday, November 1, with elite runners starting in the morning.
The weather forecast for Sunday sees a temperature around 55 degrees Fahrenheit (about 13 degrees Celsius), and getting up to around 65 degrees Fahrenheit (about 18 degrees Celsius) at race end. It may be partly cloudy with a slight wind, although there could be a headwind near the end of the route.
The final forecast should be checked closer to race day, as temperature, rain, and wind could influence the winning times.
New York Marathon by the Numbers
- The 2026 New York Marathon takes place on November 1, marking 50 years since the five-borough course debuted in 1976.
- Approximately 60,000 runners will participate in the 2026 New York Marathon.
- The 2025 race had a record 59,226 finishers, surpassing the previous record of 55,646 in 2024.
- Hellen Obiri set the women’s course record of 2:19:51 in 2025, breaking a mark that had stood for 22 years.
- Tamirat Tola holds the men’s course record of 2:04:58, set in 2023.
- Grete Waitz of Norway leads all women with nine New York Marathon victories, while American Bill Rodgers leads the men with four.
- Kenyan runners have won eight of the last 12 editions in the men’s division and 11 of the last 12 in the women’s division, excluding the canceled 2020 race.
New York Marathon Previous Winners
Past Men’s Winners
| YEAR | RUNNER | COUNTRY | TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Benson Kipruto | Kenya | 2:08:09 |
| 2024 | Abdi Nageeye | Netherlands | 2:07:39 |
| 2023 | Tamirat Tola | Ethiopia | 2:04:58 (Course Record) |
| 2022 | Evans Chebet | Kenya | 2:08:41 |
| 2021 | Albert Korir | Kenya | 2:08:22 |
| 2019 | Geoffrey Kamworor | Kenya | 2:08:13 |
| 2018 | Lelisa Desisa | Ethiopia | 2:05:59 |
| 2017 | Geoffrey Kamworor | Kenya | 2:10:53 |
| 2016 | Ghirmay Ghebreslassie | Eritrea | 2:07:51 |
| 2015 | Stanley Biwott | Kenya | 2:10:34 |
| 2014 | Wilson Kipsang | Kenya | 2:10:59 |
| 2013 | Geoffrey Mutai | Kenya | 2:08:24 |
Past Women’s Winners
| YEAR | RUNNER | COUNTRY | TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Hellen Obiri | Kenya | 2:19:51 (Course Record) |
| 2024 | Sheila Chepkirui | Kenya | 2:24:35 |
| 2023 | Hellen Obiri | Kenya | 2:27:23 |
| 2022 | Sharon Lokedi | Kenya | 2:23:23 |
| 2021 | Peres Jepchirchir | Kenya | 2:22:39 |
| 2019 | Joyciline Jepkosgei | Kenya | 2:22:38 |
| 2018 | Mary Keitany | Kenya | 2:22:48 |
| 2017 | Shalane Flanagan | United States | 2:26:53 |
| 2016 | Mary Keitany | Kenya | 2:24:26 |
| 2015 | Mary Keitany | Kenya | 2:24:25 |
| 2014 | Mary Keitany | Kenya | 2:25:07 |
| 2013 | Priscah Jeptoo | Kenya | 2:25:07 |
2026 New York Marathon Betting Predictions
For the men’s race, my New York Marathon prediction is Benson Kipruto! The Kenyan won here last year in dramatic fashion, and his experience on this challenging course gives him the edge over Nageeye and Mantz. I’m backing Kipruto to repeat!
On the women’s side, I’m going with Hellen Obiri for another Kenyan sweep! She destroyed the course record last year and has continued her excellent form in 2026. Chepkirui will push her, but I think Obiri is simply too strong. Give me Obiri for her third New York title in my New York Marathon betting picks!
Where to Bet on the 2026 New York Marathon?
The 2026 New York Marathon odds could be available at Bovada, one of the online sportsbooks that has offered marathon betting markets in previous years. These markets typically appear shortly before race day.
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