The New York City Marathon, held on Sunday, set a new world record for the most runners to cross the finish line in a 26.2-mile race, with an impressive 55,646 participants completing the course.
Participants From All 50 States
According to event organizers, 56,012 runners started the marathon, and nearly all of them reached the iconic finish line in Central Park.
This year’s race saw a highly diverse field, attracting runners from across the globe, according to Ziare.
Of those who completed the marathon, 30,795 were men, 24,731 were women, and 120 identified as non-binary.
In total, 17,859 of the participants came from outside the United States, representing 137 countries and territories.
The race also included participants from all 50 U.S. states, as well as Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, highlighting the marathon’s broad international and national appeal.
First Held in 1970
The New York City Marathon, first held in 1970 with just 127 runners, has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most prestigious races, drawing elite athletes, passionate amateurs, and charity runners alike.
Each year, runners cover the challenging course through all five boroughs — Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan — cheered on by millions of spectators who line the streets to encourage them.
In the elite category, Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui claimed victory in the women’s division, finishing in a competitive field of top international runners.
In the men’s division, Dutch runner Abdi Nageeye, originally from Somalia, crossed the finish line first. Both athletes joined the list of champions who have triumphed in one of the sport’s most celebrated events.
