New York City Marathon 2026: Marcel Hug Wins His Eighth Wheelchair Title in the Closest Finish in Race History
More than 60,000 runners from 140 countries took to the five boroughs on Sunday for the 50th running on the five-borough course, and the day's first title was decided by 1.13 seconds — Marcel Hug edging Daniel Romanchuk in the men's wheelchair race.
The TCS New York City Marathon returned on Sunday with more than 60,000 runners from 140 countries expected across the five boroughs, on the 50th anniversary of the five-borough course first run in 1976 and with a course change for the first time in 15 years, USA TODAY reported in its live coverage. The professional wheelchair races opened the day at 8 a.m. Eastern, ahead of the elite women and men.
The first finish of the day was the closest in the event's history. Switzerland's Marcel Hug, nicknamed the Silver Bullet, stayed locked with American Daniel Romanchuk for most of the race before a final push in the last 100 meters gave him his eighth New York wheelchair title in 1:28:14 — just 1.13 seconds ahead of Romanchuk, who missed last year's race after a shoulder injury in an on-course collision at the Sydney Marathon.
The elite road races were still in progress as this story was staged. Defending champions Benson Kipruto of Kenya — who won last year's men's race by 0.16 seconds, the smallest margin in race history — and Hellen Obiri, who broke the women's course record in 2:19:51 last year, headlined the fields, alongside American record holder Conner Mantz. Defending women's wheelchair champion Susannah Scaroni also returned, going for a third consecutive crown months after giving birth in August. Final elite results file when the races finish.
