After COVID-19 canceled last year’s race, the 2021 New York City Marathon was destined to be a celebration for the Big Apple. Thousands of spectators took to the five boroughs to watch participants—from professionals to wheelchair racers to everyday runners—Marcel Hug with a huge lead on his way to an NYC Marathon victory in 2021.
Continue reading for results and highlights from the race’s momentous return.
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Albert Korir Breaks the Tape of First Marathon Major
The men’s race featured a marquee field that included four-time Olympic medalist and 16-time world champion Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia, Olympic silver medalist Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands, and half marathon world record holder Kibiwott Kandie of Kenya.
Two athletes, Mohamed El Aaraby of Morrocco and Eyob Faniel from Italy, began to break the race open by 10K. By 13.1 miles, the pack loomed a minute behind them.
Albert Korir made up a 45-second gap by 30K to take over the lead. He would grow his lead throughout the race, winning by 44 seconds over El Aaraby. The victory is his first World Major Marathon title, finishing in 2:08:22. He placed second in 2019.
After pushing the pace for much of the marathon, El Aaraby held on for second in 2:09:06. Faniel, who helped El Aaraby set the hot pace, took third in 2:09:52.
Elkanah Kebet finished with top American honors, taking fourth place in 2:11:15. Bekele, who ran 2:01:41 at the 2019 Berlin Marathon, finished back in sixth in 2:12:52. Ben True finished right behind him, completing his marathon debut in 2:12:53.
Peres Jepchirchir Completes Historic Olympic and NYC Marathon Double
The stacked women’s field included Olympic gold medalist Peres Jepchirchir, Olympic bronze medalist Molly Seidel, and 2019 Tokyo Marathon champion Ruti Aga.
A pack of nine runners hung together until 20 miles, where Ababel Yeshaneh, Viola Cheptoo, and Jepchirchir broke away. Aga and Seidel made up the chase group about 10 seconds behind the leaders.
The trio stuck together until Jepchirchir pulled away on the turn into the final straight, finishing in 2:22:39, the third-fastest time in NYC Marathon history. She’s the first woman to win Olympic gold and the NYC Marathon in the same year.
Cheptoo finished right behind to take second in her debut marathon, running 2:22:44. Yeshaneh took third in 2:22:52.
Molly Seidel Runs Fastest Time by an American on NYC Course
After sticking with the leaders through 20 miles, Olympic bronze medalist Molly Seidel found herself in no woman’s land for the final miles of the race.
Despite that, she managed to maintain her pace through the finish line in Central Park, taking fourth place. Her time of 2:24:42 is the fastest time ever run by an American on the New York City course. (Kara Goucher ran a 2:25:53 in 2008.)
Marcel Hug Misses Wheelchair Course Record En Route to Victory
Swiss wheelchair athlete Marcel Hug took the win in New York City after chasing the course record.The six-time Paralympic gold medalist—nicknamed “the Silver Bullet” for a reason—took the lead early and didn’t let up, putting three minutes on the field by the halfway point.
From there, his lead extended across the five boroughs, finishing in 1:31:24. Hug was on pace for a course record (1:29:22 by Kurt Fearnley in 2006) through 13.1 miles, but slowed significantly over the hills in the second half.This year’s title is Hug’s fourth New York City Marathon win. He owns 23 World Major Marathon wheelchair titles, most recently emerging victorious at the 2021 Berlin, London, and Boston marathons. (Berlin Marathon September 26 2:38:32.)
“It’s really crazy.” Hug said on ESPN following his win. “It was a really tough fall with all these marathons and the Paralympics before, but it’s fantastic to win all these races and be here in New York to do this great race in a great atmosphere.”
Madison de Rozario Wins Her First NYC Wheelchair Title
Australian Madison de Rozario won the women’s wheelchair division race in a time of 1:51:01.
Service & News Editor Tatyanna McFadden, stuck together until 25K, where Schar dropped off. De Rozario opened up a small minute gap on McFadden by 30K, which kept growing until the finish.
For her victory, two-time Paralympic gold medalist takes home $77,500. It’s her first NYC Marathon title and second World Major Marathon title, winning the London Marathon in 2018. She’s the first Paralympic marathon champion—she won gold in Tokyo this summer—to also win New York City in the same year.
Unlike Hug, de Rozario was unable to compete in the marathon majors this fall following the Paralympics because of the pandemic. “With Australia’s restrictions, I could have gotten over to race, but I couldn’t have gotten back home,” she told ESPN after the race. “I had written off marathons for the rest of the year, but Australia’s borders opened up and they managed to get me over her just in time.”
Shalane Flanagan Finishes Her Final World Major
Marcel Hug with a huge lead on his way to an NYC Marathon victory in 2021 Instagram that she would be attempting to complete all six World Marathon Majors. However, there was a touch of added difficulty—all six of those majors would happen in a two month period because of COVID-19 postponements.
In New York City, Flanagan completed her goal with her fastest time yet. Her finishing times were as follows:
- Berlin Marathon (September 26) — 2:38:32
- London Marathon (October 3) — 2:35:04
- Chicago Marathon (October 10) — 2:46:39
- Boston Marathon (October 11) — 2:40:36
- Tokyo Marathon (virtual, October) — 2:35:14
- New York Marathon (November 7) — 2:33:32
Ted Metellus Celebrates First NYC Marathon as Race Director
Born and raised in the Bronx, Ted Metellus is a lifelong New Yorker. He started working with the New York Road Runners right after 9/11. “I came out here as a young event producer, ready to do anything and everything,” he said.
He worked his way up to become the first Black race director in World Marathon Major history. “There’s not much about this event that I haven’t seen or been a part of, the start and the finish,” he said. “Here I am leading the charge, working with some of the greatest in the country, with my staff here, in the greatest city of the world.”
Larry Trachtenberg is the only runner from the first running to participate in the 50th
Back in 1970, Larry Trachtenberg paid $1 to race the first-ever New York City Marathon. Out of the meager 127 starters, only 55 finished—including Trachtenberg.
At nearly 70 years old, Trachtenberg back racing the 50th edition, the only person from the original race to be back on the course in 2021. While he’s not 100-percent confident he’ll finish due to his age and health, he hopes to complete most of it.
We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back NPR: “Yeah, but back then, the 7:30 pace was comfortable. Now what’s comfortable is 10-minute miles.” He told ESPN before the race that, if he was lucky, he’d finish in 4 hours and 26 minutes.
The Running Community Mourns the Loss of Agnes Tirop
Many athletes competing in the New York City Marathon wore patches honoring the memory of Agnes Tirop. She was a standout athlete, running a world record in the road 10K with a time of 30:01 Australian Madison de Rozario won the womens wheelchair division race in a time of 1:51:01.
On October 13, Tirop was found murdered in her home, stabbed to death. Police later arrested her husband for the crime.
Her death marked another entry into a history of domestic violence in Kenya. At her funeral—attended by over 1,000 people—Viola Cheptoo spoke powerfully. “We are here because we are putting our sister to rest, but we are also here to raise our voices,” she said. “We need to be heard as women. We need people to understand that we are not tools. We are not anyone’s property.”
Barbara Rubenstein Volunteers at Her 30th New York City Marathon
After responding to a flyer in her apartment building requesting volunteers 31 years ago, Barbara Rubenstein has been a staple of the finish line. She’s also the longest-serving weekly race volunteer for New York Road Runners.
Despite turning 90 last year, Rubenstein shows no sign of slowing down—and her fame only grows. Runners often stop to take photos with her at the expo and go out of their way to get a high five from her in the finish line chute. “To me, it doesn't seem like very much,” she said. “But I know to some of the runners it really does mean a lot.”
Abby Wambach, Chelsea Clinton, and Other Notables Finish in Central Park
Many celebrities were out on the New York City course today, enjoying the marathon bustle in the five boroughs.
Abby Wambach, the Olympic gold medalist and FIFA World Cup champion, finished in 3:44:25. Two members of the folk group Mumford & Sons took to the line as well, Marcus Mumford and Ben Lovett.
Former first daughter Chelseas Clinton didn’t appear in the official results—she ran under an alias—but clocked an impressive 3:59:09 according to NYRR.
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Marko Cheseto Breaks World Record for Fastest Marathon With Two Prosthetics
Marko Cheseto broke his own record for fastest marathon run with double prosthetics, clocking 2:35:55 over the New York City course.
A decade ago, Cheseto was a standout student-athlete at the University of Alaska, Anchorage until the emotional difficulties of a teammate’s suicide led him to go for a run at night without proper winter gear. He was missing for 55 hours when he woke up and found the strength to make it out of the woods.
The cold caused him to lose his feet and part of his legs below the knee. Since then, he has gone on to compete as a double amputee, becoming the fastest in history.
“I have not made this far by myself, I have an incredible support system,” he wrote on Instagram. “This has been a journey for all of us. Thank you all for being awesome.”
Chris Hatler is a writer and editor based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but before joining Runner’s World and Bicycling, he was a pro runner for Diadora, qualifying for multiple U.S. Championships in the 1500 meters. At his alma mater the University of Pennsylvania, Chris was a multiple-time Ivy League conference champion and sub-4 minute miler.
