NEW YORK, United States, October 15, 2026: Sifan Hassan’s attempt to turn a painful New York City Marathon debut into a triumphant return has ended before the starting gun. The three-time Olympic champion has withdrawn from the November 1 race after illness disrupted her preparation, abandoning the comeback she had planned following a difficult sixth-place finish last year. Her withdrawal comes just over six months after an Achilles injury forced her out of the London Marathon, leaving one of distance running’s greatest competitors without a race appearance in 2026.
The 33-year-old Dutch runner announced her decision Wednesday, October 14, acknowledging that she had not reached the fitness level required to compete at her usual standard.
Hassan had been one of the principal attractions in a women’s field led by defending champion and course-record holder Hellen Obiri. With a personal best of 2:13:44, Hassan possessed the fastest marathon time among the athletes originally announced for the November race.
Her absence removes a proven major-marathon winner and a potentially fascinating challenger to Obiri, who dominated the 2025 edition in a course-record 2:19:51.
Story at a glance
Why Sifan Hassan Withdrew From the 2026 New York City Marathon
Hassan attributed her decision to an interruption in training caused by illness.
Hassan Wanted to Rewrite the Story of Her Difficult 2025 New York Debut
The withdrawal is especially disappointing because New York was intended to provide an opportunity for redemption.
From Paris Olympic Glory to a Season Without Racing: Hassan’s Remarkable Contrast
Few runners possess a competitive record comparable with Hassan’s.
Sifan Hassan’s Recent Marathon Timeline
The timeline highlights the unusual contrast in Hassan’s recent career.
Fiona O’Keeffe Also Withdraws After Hamstring Surgery
Hassan was not the only prominent runner to withdraw on October 14.
The organizers also face another significant withdrawal. American distance runner Fiona O’Keeffe, who finished fourth in New York last year, has withdrawn following surgery to repair a serious hamstring injury.
Those absences change the composition of the elite women’s field, particularly the American challenge and the potential tactical contest among established marathon champions.
The race itself remains scheduled for Sunday, November 1, with Obiri, former champion Sheila Chepkirui and several prominent international contenders among the athletes originally announced.
TL;DR: What Has Changed Before the New York City Marathon?
- Sifan Hassan has withdrawn: The Paris 2024 Olympic marathon champion says illness interrupted her training and she is not adequately prepared for November 1.
- It is her second major withdrawal of 2026: An Achilles injury forced her to miss the London Marathon in April.
- She has not raced this year: Her last reported competition was the November 2025 New York City Marathon, where she finished sixth.
- Fiona O’Keeffe is also out: The American Olympic Trials champion underwent surgery for a hamstring tendon injury.
- Hellen Obiri remains the defending champion: The Kenyan won the 2025 race in a course-record 2:19:51 and heads into this year’s event as a leading contender.
Why Sifan Hassan Withdrew From the 2026 New York City Marathon
Hassan attributed her decision to an interruption in training caused by illness.
She explained on social media that she had been looking forward to returning to New York stronger than she was in 2025, but her preparation had not progressed as intended.
Her explanation included the acknowledgment that “a sickness slowed down my training and I’m not where I wanted to be.”
The announcement was reported by Reuters on October 14.
The significance lies in Hassan’s assessment of her readiness rather than the mere occurrence of an illness.
Elite marathon preparation requires a prolonged progression of training. Athletes need sufficient time to develop endurance, incorporate demanding sessions, recover between workloads and arrive at the start physically prepared to sustain a competitive pace for 26.2 miles.
An interruption can affect that progression, particularly when the race date is approaching.
Hassan’s statement indicates that the disruption prevented her from reaching the standard she expected of herself.
It does not identify the illness, establish its severity or provide a confirmed recovery timetable.
The Latest Withdrawal Is Separate From Her Achilles Injury
Hassan’s earlier absence from the London Marathon resulted from an Achilles injury sustained during training.
Race organizers announced that withdrawal in March, ahead of the April 26 event.
Hassan had hoped to recover sufficiently to compete but eventually concluded that her preparation could not reach the standard required.
Her October announcement identifies illness as the setback affecting the New York campaign.
It would be inaccurate to state that her Achilles injury caused this latest withdrawal without additional evidence.
Likewise, the absence of a confirmed diagnosis means there is no basis for assigning a particular medical condition to her current illness.
Why Missing Two Majors in One Season Matters
The London and New York withdrawals have denied Hassan two major opportunities to compete against the world’s leading marathon runners.
She has not contested another race in 2026, according to the available October 14 reporting.
That is a substantial change for an athlete accustomed to combining major championships with demanding road-racing schedules.
It also means her next competitive appearance remains unknown.
Hassan has not announced a confirmed replacement race or a definitive date for returning to competition.
Other elite athletes have faced similarly difficult decisions about whether to race after interrupted preparation.
For example, TSE previously examined Keely Hodgkinson’s withdrawal from the Zurich Diamond League Final during an injury-affected season.
Hodgkinson later returned to win at ATHLOS London, a recovery TSE documented in its report on her final race of 2026.
Those examples concern different athletes, injuries and events. They illustrate that withdrawing from a competition does not necessarily establish the end of an athlete’s competitive career.
Hassan’s own future must be assessed from subsequent announcements and performances.
Hassan Wanted to Rewrite the Story of Her Difficult 2025 New York Debut
The withdrawal is especially disappointing because New York was intended to provide an opportunity for redemption.
Hassan made her New York City Marathon debut on November 2, 2025, arriving after an exceptional victory at the Sydney Marathon nine weeks earlier.
Her reputation made her a serious contender.
But the demanding New York course exposed the difficulty of competing against an aggressive elite field after a compressed turnaround between major marathon efforts.
Hassan finished sixth in 2:24:43.
Obiri won in 2:19:51, leaving Hassan four minutes and 52 seconds behind the champion.
For an athlete whose career includes Olympic gold and multiple major-marathon victories, sixth place represented a significant disappointment.
The Course Punished Hassan During the Later Miles
The New York City Marathon is not a simple, flat race.
It crosses all five boroughs and includes bridges, changes in elevation and a demanding closing section through Manhattan and Central Park.
Those features can make the course difficult to manage even for athletes capable of extremely fast times elsewhere.
In 2025, the leading women’s group maintained an aggressive pace deep into the race.
Hassan repeatedly attempted to stay within reach of the leaders.
However, the decisive separation developed during the later stages as the Kenyan contenders sustained their pace.
World Athletics’ official report on the 2025 New York City Marathon documents the race’s progression, the decisive moves and the final results.
She Believed a Better Preparation Would Change Her Chances
In August 2026, Hassan spoke publicly about the lessons learned during her first New York appearance.
She acknowledged how demanding the course had been and expressed optimism that having more time to prepare could improve her competitiveness.
Her 2025 schedule had included the Sydney Marathon victory only nine weeks before New York.
That turnaround became part of her explanation for the difficulties she encountered.
Her planned return in 2026 offered a chance to approach the same course with a different preparation schedule.
The illness has prevented that comparison from taking place.
We therefore cannot know whether a healthier, better-prepared Hassan would have performed substantially better this November.
What is established is that she intended to test precisely that possibility.
From Paris Olympic Glory to a Season Without Racing: Hassan’s Remarkable Contrast
Few runners possess a competitive record comparable with Hassan’s.
She has won Olympic titles on the track and road, moving successfully between events that require different combinations of endurance, speed, race judgment and preparation.
Her achievements at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics established her as one of the sport’s most versatile distance runners.
Tokyo: Gold in Both the 5,000m and 10,000m
At the Tokyo Olympics, Hassan won gold medals in the women’s 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters.
She also took bronze in the 1,500 meters.
Those achievements demonstrated an exceptional ability to compete across distances with different physiological and tactical demands.
The 1,500 meters places greater emphasis on sustained speed and positioning through a shorter race.
The 10,000 meters demands the ability to sustain high-level endurance and respond to late tactical changes.
Hassan competed at the highest level in both environments.
Paris: Three Medals Across 5,000m, 10,000m and the Marathon
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Hassan won bronze in the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters before capturing marathon gold.
She became the first woman to win Olympic medals in all three events at the same Games.
The marathon victory was particularly striking because it came after two demanding track competitions earlier in the Olympic program.
Her performance reinforced the extraordinary range that had already defined her career.
Elite distance runners continue exploring different combinations of track and road events.
TSE examined another example of exceptional track versatility in its analysis of Nadia Battocletti’s European 5,000m and 10,000m double.
Hassan’s achievements remain distinct because she has also converted her track success into Olympic and major-marathon victories.
Her Major Marathon Victories
Hassan won the London Marathon in 2023 and followed it with victory in Chicago later that year.
She claimed Olympic marathon gold in Paris in 2024.
In 2025, she won the Sydney Marathon in 2:18:22, setting a course record.
That victory brought her marathon winning total to four from her first six completed marathon appearances.
Her personal best of 2:13:44, established in Chicago in 2023, remains substantially quicker than her New York debut time.
However, personal bests achieved on different courses cannot be treated as direct predictions of future results.
The New York course demands a different racing approach from a flatter, faster major-marathon route.
Sifan Hassan’s Recent Marathon Timeline
| Date | Race | Result | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2023 | London Marathon | Winner | Victory in her marathon debut |
| October 2023 | Chicago Marathon | Winner, 2:13:44 | Personal best and Dutch national record |
| August 2024 | Paris Olympic Marathon | Gold medal | Completed a historic three-medal Olympic campaign |
| August 2025 | Sydney Marathon | Winner, 2:18:22 | Course record |
| November 2025 | New York City Marathon | Sixth, 2:24:43 | Demanding debut, 4:52 behind Obiri |
| April 2026 | London Marathon | Did not start | Withdrew because of an Achilles injury |
| November 1, 2026 | New York City Marathon | Withdrawn before race | Illness disrupted preparation |
The timeline highlights the unusual contrast in Hassan’s recent career.
Her 2023-2025 period contained historic achievements across both the track and marathon.
Her 2026 campaign has instead been dominated by interrupted preparation and withdrawals.
That does not establish a permanent decline in her ability.
It demonstrates that even athletes with exceptional competitive records remain dependent on consistent preparation and adequate recovery.
Fiona O’Keeffe Also Withdraws After Hamstring Surgery
Hassan was not the only prominent runner to withdraw on October 14.
American Fiona O’Keeffe will also miss the New York City Marathon.
O’Keeffe, the winner of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, has undergone surgery to repair a significant hamstring tendon injury.
The 28-year-old said medical imaging showed that an earlier partial tear had developed into a fully retracted tendon tear on her left side.
She underwent proximal hamstring repair surgery in Vail, Colorado.
Unlike Hassan, O’Keeffe provided a more specific explanation of the injury affecting her preparation.
The two withdrawals should not be described as resulting from the same condition.
O’Keeffe Was America’s Leading Woman in New York Last Year
O’Keeffe finished fourth in the 2025 New York City Marathon in 2:22:49.
That was the fastest time recorded by an American woman on the New York City course.
She finished behind the Kenyan podium of Obiri, Sharon Lokedi and Sheila Chepkirui.
Her performance demonstrated that she could compete close to the leading international runners on a demanding championship-style course.
Her absence removes one of the strongest returning American contenders.
The American Field Still Has Significant Depth
The original 2026 elite women’s lineup included Jessica McClain, Annie Frisbie and Weini Kelati.
McClain entered with a marathon personal best of 2:20:49.
Frisbie finished fifth in New York last year and is among the returning American runners.
Kelati, an accomplished distance runner, was scheduled to make her marathon debut.
Those athletes provide several different American storylines even without O’Keeffe.
However, the final composition of the starting field must be determined from subsequent organizer updates.
The original entry list should not be treated as an unchanged October 15 start list after two confirmed withdrawals.
Hellen Obiri’s Title Defense Takes on a Different Shape
The most immediate competitive consequence of Hassan’s withdrawal concerns Hellen Obiri.
The Kenyan returns as defending champion after breaking the long-standing New York City Marathon course record in 2025.
Her winning time of 2:19:51 reduced Margaret Okayo’s previous record by two minutes and 40 seconds.
Obiri has won New York twice, in 2023 and 2025.
She also finished second at the London Marathon in April 2026, setting a personal best of 2:15:53.
Her combination of course experience and recent marathon production makes her one of the most prominent remaining contenders.
Hassan’s Withdrawal Removes the Fastest Personal Best From the Original Field
When the 2026 women’s lineup was announced in August, Hassan’s 2:13:44 was the quickest lifetime marathon mark among the listed entrants.
Obiri’s 2:15:53 was slower by two minutes and nine seconds.
That comparison established Hassan’s standing as a potentially formidable challenger.
But it did not establish that she would beat Obiri in New York.
The two runners’ results from the previous edition illustrated the importance of course suitability and current preparation.
Obiri won convincingly despite Hassan possessing the faster lifetime best.
The absence of a head-to-head contest this November means the question remains unresolved.
Obiri Still Faces Former Champions and International Medalists
Hassan’s withdrawal reduces the number of prominent contenders but does not leave Obiri without serious opposition.
Sheila Chepkirui, the 2024 champion, returns after finishing third in 2025.
Gotytom Gebreslase brings World Championships experience and a personal best of 2:18:11.
Viola Cheptoo has run 2:19:05.
Edna Kiplagat possesses extensive major-marathon experience, while Uruguay’s Julia Paternain earned World Championships marathon bronze in 2025.
The depth of East African distance running remains an important factor in the field.
That wider competitive strength has been illustrated by recent international results, including the performances examined in TSE’s report on the 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen.
Kenya’s prominence in global athletics extends across both competition and organization, with Nairobi also preparing to stage the 2029 World Athletics Championships, as detailed in TSE’s coverage of the historic hosting award.
Who Remains in the 2026 New York City Marathon Women’s Race?
The following athletes were included in the organizers’ August professional field announcement. Their listed personal bests provide context for the race’s depth.
Hassan and O’Keeffe have been removed from this comparison because their withdrawals are confirmed. The remaining names are based on the previously announced field and are not an independently verified final starting list.
| Athlete | Country | Marathon Personal Best | Relevant Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hellen Obiri | Kenya | 2:15:53 | 2023 and 2025 New York champion |
| Sheila Chepkirui | Kenya | 2:17:29 | 2024 New York champion |
| Gotytom Gebreslase | Ethiopia | 2:18:11 | World marathon champion |
| Viola Cheptoo | Kenya | 2:19:05 | Experienced elite marathon contender |
| Edna Kiplagat | Kenya | 2:19:50 | Multiple major-marathon champion |
| Jessica McClain | United States | 2:20:49 | Leading American marathon contender |
| Annie Frisbie | United States | 2:22:00 | Fifth in New York in 2025 |
| Julia Paternain | Uruguay | 2:25:47 | 2025 World Championships bronze medalist |
| Weini Kelati | United States | Marathon debut | Established half-marathon performer |
World Athletics’ 2026 New York City Marathon field preview provides official competition context for the defending champions and leading challengers.
For readers comparing track, half-marathon and marathon performances, TSE also examined Andreas Almgren’s world half-marathon victory and planned New York marathon debut.
His progression illustrates another feature of New York’s elite field: some athletes arrive with extensive marathon experience, while others face the distance for the first time after proving themselves on the track and shorter road courses.
Why Losing Hassan and O’Keeffe Changes the Tactical Picture
Marathon fields are affected by more than the number of competitors.
The identity and strengths of the leading athletes can influence how the race develops.
Hassan is known for combining strong endurance with a powerful finishing ability.
O’Keeffe demonstrated in 2025 that she could compete aggressively among the leaders for much of the race.
Removing two such runners changes the potential combinations at the front of the field.
Hassan’s Finishing Speed Was a Different Kind of Threat
Hassan’s track background gives her an unusual combination of marathon endurance and late-race speed.
That does not mean she can always outkick competitors after 26 miles.
The outcome depends on how much energy remains, the course, the pace and the condition of the athletes involved.
However, when Hassan remains with the leaders deep into a race, opponents must account for her capacity to accelerate.
That possibility can influence how rival runners approach the earlier stages.
Her withdrawal removes one of the more distinctive tactical profiles from the original women’s lineup.
O’Keeffe’s Absence Reduces the Returning American Challenge
O’Keeffe’s fourth-place finish made her a known competitor on the New York course.
Her withdrawal leaves American hopes more dependent on other returning runners and debutants.
That does not establish that the remaining American athletes cannot challenge for the podium.
It means the United States loses a runner with demonstrated recent success in precisely this race.
Obiri’s Experience Becomes an Even More Important Advantage
Obiri has twice won the event and holds the course record.
Her experience of the bridges, demanding later miles and tactical characteristics of the New York route gives her valuable knowledge.
That experience does not guarantee victory.
Chepkirui and other established marathon runners also possess the ability to execute strong race plans.
But Obiri’s performance history provides a stronger basis for assessing her suitability than simply comparing lifetime bests from faster courses.
Personal Bests Cannot Predict the New York City Marathon Winner
Hassan’s withdrawal creates a useful analytical question.
How much should supporters read into the fastest personal best when evaluating a marathon field?
The answer depends on the race.
A lifetime best measures what an athlete accomplished on a particular course, under particular conditions, at a particular point in her career.
It is valuable evidence of ability, but it does not automatically translate to every marathon.
Continue the Athletics Story
New York is an especially strong example.
In the 2025 race, Hassan entered with a much faster lifetime best than Obiri.
Obiri nevertheless won, while Hassan finished sixth.
What the 2025 Result Demonstrated
| Runner | Marathon Personal Best | 2025 NYC Finish | 2025 NYC Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sifan Hassan | 2:13:44 | 2:24:43 | 6th |
| Hellen Obiri | 2:15:53 | 2:19:51 | 1st |
Hassan’s lifetime best was two minutes and nine seconds faster than Obiri’s current best.
Yet Obiri beat Hassan by four minutes and 52 seconds in New York last year.
The comparison does not establish a permanent ranking between the two runners.
It demonstrates that course suitability, preparation, race execution and current fitness can outweigh differences between lifetime personal bests.
That was precisely why Hassan’s proposed return in 2026 was so interesting.
She wanted another opportunity to test herself against the course after learning from the previous attempt.
The illness has postponed that opportunity indefinitely.
What Hassan’s Absence Means for the Final Marathon Major of 2026
The New York City Marathon closes the year’s major-marathon calendar.
It brings together athletes with different schedules, championship ambitions and preparation histories.
Hassan’s withdrawal removes one of the sport’s most recognizable global champions.
Her Olympic achievements and success across multiple distances have attracted attention beyond conventional marathon audiences.
But the strength of the women’s race should not be judged solely by the absence of one star.
Obiri remains a two-time winner. Chepkirui has already won the event. Several other entrants have competed at the highest level in international marathon racing.
Kelati’s expected debut also provides a different kind of storyline, centered on the transition from shorter-distance racing to the marathon.
That broader depth is visible across the current road-running season.
For example, the performances of Agnes Ngetich and Sabastian Sawe have been part of the discussion surrounding the 2026 World Athlete of the Year awards, examined in TSE’s report on the 2026 nominees.
New York will still provide a major test for the athletes who start.
The withdrawal changes the field’s composition, but it does not establish who will win.
What Happens Next for Sifan Hassan?
The immediate priority is Hassan’s recovery and eventual return to uninterrupted training.
No confirmed replacement race has been announced.
There is also no publicly established timeline for her return to competitive athletics following the October illness.
It would therefore be premature to claim that she will compete at a particular 2027 marathon or that the interruption will affect her participation at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Hassan has previously discussed using 2026 as a period of recovery while considering her longer-term ambitions.
The latest setback reinforces the uncertainty surrounding that plan.
Her past performances demonstrate exceptional ability across events.
What remains unknown is when she will next be prepared to compete at the standard she expects.
The Key Questions Ahead
- Will Hassan announce a further update about her recovery after the illness?
- When will she resume a complete training cycle without interruption?
- Will her next competitive appearance be on the track, at a shorter road race or in another marathon?
- Will she eventually return to New York for the rematch she had planned?
- How will she structure future competition schedules after a year without racing?
These are open questions rather than predictions.
Her next public announcement, training updates and official race entries will provide the evidence needed to answer them.
The Sports Encounter Verdict: Hassan’s Biggest Defeat Came Before the Start
Sifan Hassan arrived at the beginning of 2026 with unfinished business.
She had won the Sydney Marathon in 2025 but finished sixth in New York, a result that challenged an athlete accustomed to producing extraordinary performances at the biggest events.
Her planned return promised a compelling test.
Could the Olympic champion translate her exceptional lifetime ability into a stronger result on the demanding New York course?
The question appeared especially interesting because she had spent more time preparing for the race and had learned from the previous year’s experience.
But this season has produced a different story.
An Achilles injury ended her London plans. Illness has now ended her New York campaign.
Hassan has not had the opportunity to demonstrate whether she could return to her previous competitive standard.
For the New York City Marathon, her absence removes a major international contender from a field that still contains several accomplished champions.
For Hassan, the unresolved story is more personal and more significant than one race result.
She must first reach the condition required to compete again.
New York was supposed to give Hassan another chance to master the course that defeated her in 2025. Instead, her greatest challenge in 2026 has been reaching the starting line at all.
Sifan Hassan NYC Marathon Withdrawal: Frequently Asked Questions
Why Did Sifan Hassan Withdraw From the 2026 New York City Marathon?
Hassan said a recent illness disrupted her training and prevented her from reaching the level of preparation she wanted for the November 1 race.
When Did Hassan Announce Her Withdrawal?
She announced the decision on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
Was Hassan’s Achilles Injury the Reason She Withdrew From New York?
The latest withdrawal was attributed to illness. An Achilles injury had previously caused her withdrawal from the April 2026 London Marathon.
When Did Sifan Hassan Last Compete?
According to the October 14 reporting, her last competition was the November 2025 New York City Marathon, where she finished sixth in 2:24:43.
What Is Sifan Hassan’s Marathon Personal Best?
Her personal best is 2:13:44, achieved at the Chicago Marathon in October 2023.
How Many Olympic Gold Medals Has Hassan Won?
Hassan has three Olympic gold medals: the 5,000m and 10,000m titles at Tokyo and marathon gold at Paris 2024.
Why Did Fiona O’Keeffe Withdraw?
O’Keeffe withdrew after undergoing surgery to repair a serious left hamstring tendon injury.
Who Is the Defending Women’s New York City Marathon Champion?
Hellen Obiri won the 2025 race in a course-record 2:19:51. She also won the event in 2023.
Who Are the Other Leading Women’s Contenders?
The previously announced field includes Sheila Chepkirui, Gotytom Gebreslase, Viola Cheptoo, Edna Kiplagat, Jessica McClain, Annie Frisbie and Julia Paternain, subject to final starting-field confirmation.
When Is the 2026 New York City Marathon?
The event is scheduled for Sunday, November 1, 2026.
