Chepkirui Wins 2026 NYC Marathon in Adidas
Kenyan runner Sheila Chepkirui took the women's title at the Sunday race, wearing Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 sneakers.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Running
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Kenyan runner Sheila Chepkirui won the women's 2026 New York City Marathon in 2 hours, 24 minutes and 36 seconds, her second women's title in the race. Nike runner Andreas Almgren won the men's race in 2 hours, 6 minutes and 1 second wearing Nike's forthcoming Apex sneaker.
Why it matters
The race drew nearly 60,000 runners to the city's streets, and the footwear worn by the winners highlights the intensifying competition among sneaker makers for marathon visibility. For New York City runners, the results mark the latest high-profile race on the local calendar.
Adidas's Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 weighs 97 grams, 30% lighter than its predecessor, and retails for $500. Eight of the 14 major marathon winners in 2026 wore the shoe, though Nike's projected 40% energy-return gain for the Apex remains a manufacturer claim.
The players
Sheila Chepkirui
Kenyan distance runner who won the 2026 New York City Marathon women's race, her second women's title in the event.
Andreas Almgren
Nike-sponsored runner who won the 2026 New York City Marathon men's race while wearing Nike's forthcoming Apex sneaker.
Adidas
German sportswear company whose Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 was worn by eight of the 14 major 2026 marathon winners.
Nike
American athletic footwear company whose forthcoming Apex sneaker was worn by the men's New York City Marathon winner.
The details
Chepkirui's win came as Adidas's running revenue grew 19% in its third quarter, a gain the company tied in part to its expanding presence at major marathon events. Almgren's victory in Nike's Apex, which is scheduled for public release in January 2027, added a competing sneaker to the top of the men's podium.
Timeline
April 2026: Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 introduced.
October 29, 2026: Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 receives a wider release.
November 1, 2026: 2026 New York City Marathon held.
January 2027: Nike Apex scheduled for public release.
Season Trajectory
Adidas's dominance among major 2026 marathon winners reflects a race-day footwear contest that now centers on carbon-plated racing shoes. Nike's claimed 40% energy-return gain over the Alphafly 3 positions the Apex as a direct challenge to Adidas's lead in that category.
Runners weighing a purchase should note the Adios Pro Evo 3's $500 price tag and its wider release beginning October 29, 2026. Those tracking race-day footwear can watch for the Apex's January 2027 availability to compare its performance claims against the Adidas model.
The takeaway
Race-day sneaker choices are increasingly tied to measurable weight and energy-return specifications, so runners comparing models should weigh verified figures against manufacturer claims. Checking official release dates before buying helps avoid paying early-release prices.
What happens next
Nike's Apex sneaker is scheduled for public release in January 2027.
Further reading
Explore more Running coverage tied to the New York City marathon scene.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Variety.
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