Hassan and O'Keeffe Withdrew From New York City Marathon
The two elite runners have withdrawn from the upcoming race due to separate health concerns.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Running
Live Poll
Do you feel major athletic events in your area provide value to the local community?
Olympic marathon champion Sifan Hassan and US Olympic trials winner Fiona O'Keeffe have announced their withdrawals from the New York City Marathon. The athletes cited illness and injury, respectively, as the reasons for their decision.
Why it matters
For distance runners, these withdrawals highlight the necessity of balancing high-intensity training with injury prevention and recovery, especially when navigating health setbacks.
Official reports confirm that two elite marathoners have withdrawn from the New York City Marathon field. The exact clinical nature of the illness impacting training or the injury remains under investigation.
The players
Sifan Hassan
An Olympic gold medalist who specializes in long-distance running and marathon competition.
Fiona O'Keeffe
A professional distance runner and the current US Olympic trials marathon champion.
The details
Athletic training for endurance events like the marathon places extreme stress on physiological systems, requiring precise recovery cycles. When sickness or structural injury occurs, elite athletes often withdraw to prevent long-term damage and allow their bodies to return to baseline health. Sifan Hassan previously managed a similar withdrawal from the London Marathon due to an Achilles injury.
Timeline
October 14, 2026: Sifan Hassan and Fiona O'Keeffe announced their withdrawals.
October 2025: Sifan Hassan finished sixth in the New York City Marathon.
2024: Sifan Hassan won the gold medal at the Paris Olympic marathon.
Health Landscape
Elite marathon performance requires a highly fragile balance between sustained training and total body recovery. This incident follows a pattern established by the 2024 Paris Olympic marathon, emphasizing how physical readiness remains the core variable for endurance athletes.
If you are training for a long-distance race, these withdrawals are a reminder to prioritize rest and medical evaluation when you experience persistent symptoms or pain. It is worth discussing any persistent training-related fatigue or soreness with your doctor before attempting a long-distance event.
The takeaway
Even the world's most elite athletes must prioritize rest when faced with illness or injury to protect their long-term health. When your training includes high-impact endurance, track any unusual pain patterns and consult a sports medicine specialist to evaluate your readiness.
Further reading
For tips on managing physical recovery, visit our section on Running.
Live Poll
Do you feel major athletic events in your area provide value to the local community?
