Running News Daily

For Phily Bowden, the 2026 New York City Marathon was never going to be just another race.

At around 6 a.m. on Sunday, while travelling by bus toward the marathon start, the British marathoner received heartbreaking news that would change the meaning of the 26.2 miles ahead of her: her close friend and former training partner, Ciara Mageean, had died.

Mageean, the celebrated Irish middle-distance star and 2024 European 1500m champion, was just 34. She had been battling bowel cancer, and her death sent shockwaves through the athletics community.

For Bowden, the loss was deeply personal.

The two athletes shared years of memories, having trained together under coach Helen Clitheroe as part of the New Balance Manchester group. Their friendship extended far beyond running, and Bowden had only recently made a special journey to Ireland during the final stages of her marathon preparation so she could be present for Mageean’s wedding.

One week later, Bowden found herself standing on the start line in New York carrying a grief she could never have prepared for.

Yet despite the shock and heartbreak, she still ran.

It was Bowden’s first marathon since the 2025 London Marathon after an injury-interrupted period, and she admitted afterward that simply returning to the marathon itself felt like an important step forward.

The race, however, became an entirely different challenge from the one she had imagined.

Bowden spent around 14 miles running largely on her own, without the rhythm of a group to help pull her through the difficult stretches. Rather than allowing the isolation to break her, she gradually began to rebuild her momentum.

Over the final 10 kilometres, she started closing the gaps to the runners ahead, finding the strength to fight her way through the field and finish strongly.

She eventually crossed the line in 17th place in 2:30:45.

The result was well outside the 2:25:47 personal best she set in Berlin in 2024. But on a day when her mind was occupied by something infinitely bigger than a finishing time, Bowden knew the stopwatch could not tell the whole story.

She later admitted that parts of the race had become a blur.

There was an understandable struggle to care about seconds, places or performance when she had just lost someone so important to her. Bowden had tried to remain in “athlete mode” and concentrate on the process for 26.2 miles, but grief refused to be placed neatly to one side.

She was human, and the emotions followed her around every corner of New York.

And then came the thought of Mageean.

Bowden knew her friend would never have wanted her to surrender to the sadness. Mageean was a fighter in everything she pursued, both as an athlete and as a friend, and that memory became a source of strength during the race.

So Bowden fought for her.

She also paid tribute to the women in the professional field who helped her during the race, expressing her gratitude to those who were there to catch her when she needed support.

The marathon therefore became more than a comeback race. It became a deeply personal farewell and a celebration of a friendship that had meant so much.

Bowden also acknowledged the strange mixture of emotions that followed such an overwhelming day. Sadness, shock, happiness, pride, love and fear could somehow exist together, even when they seemed impossible to reconcile.

That, she realised, was part of the reality of living through grief.

And while carrying on without Mageean feels difficult, Bowden wants to honour her friend by embracing the things she believes Mageean would have wanted: finding moments of joy, making the most of life and laughing more than crying.

That may become Bowden’s way of keeping Mageean close.

For 26.2 miles, the streets of New York became more than a marathon course. They became a place of remembrance, resilience and love.

Bowden crossed the finish line in 17th, but the significance of her day went far beyond her position or 2:30:45.

She ran through grief. She fought when it would have been understandable to stop emotionally. And she carried the memory of an extraordinary friend from the starting line to the finish.

“This one was for you, Ciara,” Bowden wrote.

And in every difficult mile, every rally and every final push toward the finish, her friend was never far from her thoughts.

The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated women’s marathon showdowns of the year, with Olympic champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands (2:13:44 NR) and defending champion Hellen Obiri of Kenya (2:15:53) leading a sensational field for November 1.

The pair headline a world-class lineup featuring Olympic and world champions, major-marathon winners, national record holders and some of the most exciting marathoners from around the globe.

Hassan arrives with the fastest personal best in the field, while Obiri will return to New York seeking to defend the title she won last year in 2:19:51. The Kenyan star has established herself as one of the defining figures of the modern marathon, and another victory in New York would further strengthen her remarkable record over the distance.

“New York always brings out the best in me and I’m excited to return and feel the energy of each borough during such a historic year,” Obiri said.

She will face a formidable Kenyan challenge led by Sheila Chepkirui (2:17:29), Viola Cheptoo (2:19:05), Edna Kiplagat (2:19:50) and Mercy Chelangat (2:20:30). Ethiopia will be represented by former world champion Gotytom Gebreslase (2:18:11), adding even more championship pedigree and experience to an already formidable front pack.

The strength of the field continues with Jessica McClain of the United States (2:20:49), Annie Frisbie of the United States (2:22:00), Fiona O’Keeffe of the United States (2:22:10) and Fabienne Königstein of Germany (2:22:17). They will be joined by fellow American contenders Carrie Ellwood (2:22:53), Erika Kemp (2:22:56), Amanda Vestri (2:24:49) and Lauren Hagans (2:25:47), while Giovanna Epis of Italy (2:23:46) and Rie Kawauchi of Japan (2:24:16) add further international quality.

The lineup also features Julia Paternain of Uruguay (2:25:47 NR), Phily Bowden of Great Britain (2:25:57), Paige Wood of the United States (2:26:02) and Steph Bruce of the United States (2:27:47). The experience continues with Roberta Groner of the United States (2:29:09) and Mica Rivera Wood of Peru (2:29:13), while Megan O’Neil (2:31:31), Monica Hebner (2:32:40), Brooke Starn (2:35:22), Alosha Southern (2:36:10), Keetah Barger (2:36:13) and Maddie Block (2:36:25) add considerable depth to the American contingent.

Two particularly intriguing names will also be making their marathon debuts: Cailie Hughes and Weini Kelati of the United States. Kelati enters the new chapter of her career after lowering the American half-marathon record to 1:06:04 in February, giving her a strong foundation as she steps up to the classic 26.2-mile distance for the first time.

Her marathon debut adds another layer of intrigue to an already star-studded race. Kelati’s speed and endurance could make her a dangerous contender if she adapts quickly to the demands of the marathon, while Hughes will also bring the unpredictability that comes with tackling the distance for the first time.

With athletes representing the Netherlands, Kenya, Ethiopia, the United States, Germany, Italy, Japan, Uruguay, Great Britain and Peru, the 2026 women’s field boasts remarkable international depth. The leading contenders bring contrasting strengths, experiences and racing backgrounds, setting the stage for a fascinating battle across New York’s five boroughs before the famous finish in Central Park.

For Hassan, the race represents another opportunity to showcase her extraordinary range and marathon pedigree. For Obiri, it is a chance to defend her New York crown against one of the deepest fields assembled for the race. Behind them, Chepkirui, Gebreslase, Cheptoo, Kiplagat and a host of talented contenders will be waiting to challenge for the podium.

With Olympic pedigree, world championship experience, major-marathon success and two highly anticipated marathon debuts all converging on New York, the stage is set for a compelling battle on November 1.

The question is no longer whether the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon will deliver drama, but who will emerge victorious when the battle reaches Central Park.

Who is your favorite to take the crown in New York? 

History was made on the streets of London this morning. Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa surged to victory at the 2025 TCS London Marathon, setting a new women’s-only world record with an unofficial time of 2:15:50.

With cool, crisp conditions early in the race, Assefa quickly established her dominance. Pulling away from her rivals by the halfway point, she maintained a strong and steady pace through the final miles. In the closing stages, it was clear the race against the clock had begun — and she delivered in spectacular fashion, crossing the finish line with a commanding lead of over a minute ahead of second-place Joyciline Jepkosgei.

The previous women’s-only world record was held by Britain’s Paula Radcliffe, whose 2:17:01 mark from London in 2005 had stood for two decades. Assefa’s breakthrough performance, pending official ratification, trims over a minute from that legendary time.

Tigst Assefa had already stunned the running world with her mixed-race world record of 2:11:53 set in Berlin in 2023. Today, she confirmed her place among the all-time greats by dominating a race staged without male pacemakers, underlining her incredible solo strength.

Assefa’s record run headlined what has already become one of the most memorable editions of the London Marathon, with over 56,000 participants and perfect spring weather creating an electric atmosphere.

Paula Radcliffe posted "That was a phenomenal race so hats off to Tigst Assefa for being brave enough to go out in the pace she did!

The manner in which she lifted herself to get across the line as well. 

You can see how much it means to her. It's more to build on for her moving forward."

Eilish McColgan picks up the pace as she comes across the line in 02:24:25 for eighth place.

She's tired on her marathon debut but has done one thing she wanted - beat her mum Liz's best time. Liz McColgan won here in 1996.

A decent effort for a first attempt.

Top 13 Women’s Elite Finishers

1. Tigst Assefa (ETH) – 2:15:50

2. Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) – 2:18:44

3. Sifan Hassan (NED) – 2:19:00

4. Haven Hailu Desse (ETH) – 2:19:17

5. Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN) – 2:22:32

6. Stella Chesang (UGA) – 2:22:42

7. Sofiia Yaremchuk (ITA) – 2:23:14

8. Eilish McColgan (GBR) – 2:24:25

9. Rose Harvey (GBR) – 2:25:01

10. Susanna Sullivan (USA) – 2:29:30

11. Phily Bowden (GBR) – 2:30:28

12. Molly Bookmyer (USA) – 2:32:31

13. Holly Archer (GBR) – 2:39:45

Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa delivered a historic performance, setting a new women-only world record with a time of 2:15:50. She broke away from the pack after the 30-kilometer mark and maintained her lead to the finish line.   

Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei secured second place with a strong finish at 2:18:44, while the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan completed the podium in third with a time of 2:19:00.  

Notably, Great Britain’s Eilish McColgan finished eighth, setting a new Scottish marathon record with her time of 2:24:25.