Availability to feature Olympians, Paralympians, and global medalists
RSVP REQUIRED
WHAT:
To preview the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, the best day of the year, in the best city in the world, New York Road Runners (NYRR)—the nonprofit that “runs” New York City—will host a pre-race media availability with the top professional open division and wheelchair division athletes. Taking place Sunday, Nov. 1, the TCS New York City Marathon will feature professional athletes representing 19 countries and territories, the 4 defending champions, 35 Olympians and Paralympians, 29 international medalists, and 18 national record holders.
WHERE/WHEN:
Thursday, October 29
TCS New York City Marathon Media Center
Central Park and West 67th St.
- 9 a.m. – Media Center Opens
- 10:00 a.m. – Pro Athlete Presentation and Q&A
- 10:30 a.m. – Photo Opportunity
- 10:45 a.m. – 1:1 Pro Athlete Availability
WHO:
Participating athletes include:
- Bill Rodgers (USA): Most victories (4) by a man in the New York City Marathon open division, including the 1976 victory
- Danielle Nagel (USA): Representing her mother, Miki Gorman, who won the 1976 and 1977 New York City Marathon
- Benson Kipruto (KEN): Defending men’s open division champion
- Hellen Obiri (KEN): Defending women’s open division champion
- Andreas Almgren (SWE): 2026 World Athletics Half Marathon champion
- Weini Kelati (USA): American women’s half marathon record holder
- Zouhair Talbi (USA): Two-time Houston Half Marathon champion and course record holder
- Tatyana McFadden (USA): Five-time women’s wheelchair division champion
- Kengo Suzuki (JPN): Former Japanese men’s marathon record holder
- Jess McClain (USA): Top American woman at 2026 Boston Marathon
- Patrick Dever (GBR): Third place finisher at 2025 TCS New York City Marathon
- Yeman Crippa (ITA): Italian men’s marathon record holder
- Daniel Romanchuk (USA): Two-time men’s open wheelchair division champion
- Conner Mantz (USA): American men’s marathon and half marathon record holder
- Deresa Geleta (ETH): 2025 Tokyo Marathon runner-up
- Sheila Chepkirui (KEN): 2024 women’s open division champion
- Julia Paternain (URY): 2025 World Marathon Championships bronze medalist
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:
This year’s race marks the 50th anniversary of the landmark 1976 race, the first with a professional athlete field and the debut of the iconic 5-boro course. To mark the occasion, New York Road Runners is welcoming more than 50 past champions to participate in race-week festivities, including 1976 New York City Marathon men’s champion Bill Rodgers and Danielle Mika Nagel, daughter of 1976 women’s champion Miki Gorman.