11,000 Runners Hit the Dash Before NYC Marathon's Big Day

Thousands of runners gathered on Manhattan's East Side Saturday for the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K, the traditional warm-up race ahead of Sunday's TCS New York City Marathon. About 11,000 athletes ran the 3.1-mile course, which started near the United Nations building, wound through Midtown, and finished in Central Park on the marathon's actual finish line. Habtom Samuel won the men's open division in his New York Road Runners debut, crossing in 13:31 to extend his unbeaten rookie professional season. He edged 2024 Olympian Edwin Kurgat and 2025 Dash champion Amon Kemboi. On the women's side, Rachael Rudel, fresh off a USATF 20K national title, took her first Dash crown in 15:35, ending a three-year win streak by Annie Rodenfels. Americans swept the podium, with Josette Andrews and Ednah Kurgat close behind. The race also honored the marathon's 50th anniversary. Gary Corbitt, son of marathon course co-founder Ted Corbitt and this year's Honorary Grand Marshal, ran alongside past NYC Marathon champions Hendrick Ramaala, Meb Keflezighi, Uta Pippig and Franca Fiacconi. Leaders from the Berlin, Boston, London and Tokyo marathons also competed in a friendly showdown. The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon airs Sunday starting at 7 a.m.