Habtom Samuel and Rachael Rudel Win New York Road Runners’ Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K Ahead of TCS New York City Marathon

New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that “runs” New York City producing 60 annual adult and youth races including the TCS New York City Marathon, hosted more than 11,500 athletes for the annual Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K today in Central Park. A beloved tradition since 2010, the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K gives TCS New York City Marathon supporters, friends, and families a chance to share in the excitement of marathon weekend and cross the iconic finish line a day before nearly 60,000 marathon runners.

The first to cross the finish line were professional athletes, including two Olympians, five NCAA champions, and four U.S. national champions. Both open division champions won in their New York Road Runners debuts. Habtom Samuel, undefeated in his rookie professional season, won the men’s race in 13:31, while Rachael Rudel, the newly crowned USATF 20K national champion, won the women’s race in 15:35.

Samuel, who won the Falmouth Road Race and Houston Half Marathon in course-record fashion earlier this year, led most of the race, with a tight pack following behind. He won ahead of 2024 Olympian Edwin Kurgat, who finished second, and 2025 Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K champion Amon Kemboi, who finished third.

“I came to this race with a big goal,” said Habtom after the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K on the NYRR Set the Pace Presented by Peloton Watch Party on New York Road Runners’ YouTube channel. “I was planning to run 13:10 … it wasn’t what I was expecting, but I got the win. I tried to push the pace a little bit and found out that this was hard, so I [changed the plan]. I’m glad I took the win.”

Rudel pulled away from the field over the final 400 meters to win her first Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K title in 15:35. Her victory followed three consecutive wins by Annie Rodenfels. The podium was swept by American women, with Josette Andrews, the runner-up at the 2026 New Balance 5th Avenue Mile, and Ednah Kurgat, a two-time national champion, running 15:41 and 15:42, respectively.

“Coming into this [race], there were really no expectations. Like every race, it’s just show up, make sure I’m healthy, make sure I’m still smiling,” said Rudel after the race on the Watch Party livestream. “It was an amazing race … When I saw the finish line … and you see the environment, the people cheering and the hype of it, it’s almost breathtaking.”

Following the footsteps of the professional athletes on the 3.1-mile course were notable and inspiring runners, including:

• Gary Corbitt (29:09) – Running historian and son of Ted Corbitt, one of the founders of the iconic 5-boro New York City Marathon course that’s celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Corbitt is an Honorary Grand Marshal for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, representing his father’s enduring legacy.
• Past New York City Marathon champions invited by New York Road Runners to help recognize the 50th anniversary of the 5-boro New York City Marathon, which was the first to feature a professional athlete field:
  • Hendrick Ramaala (18:32): The 2004 New York City Marathon champion and two-time World Half Marathon silver medalist.
  • Meb Keflezighi (20:35): Olympic silver medalist and 2009 New York City Marathon champion, the first American man to win since 1982.
  • Uta Pippig (25:00): Two-time Olympian and 1993 New York City Marathon champion, who made history as the first German woman to win the race.
  • Franca Fiacconi (32:38): The 1998 New York City Marathon champion and the first Italian woman to win the race.
• Abbott World Marathon Majors race directors and CEOs, who celebrated the conclusion of the 2026 marathon season with a friendly competition:
  • Mark Milde of the Berlin Marathon (18:42)
  • Jack Fleming of the Boston Marathon (18:54)
  • Hugh Brasher of the London Marathon (20:32)
  • Jürgen Lock of the Berlin Marathon (29:47)
  • Yasuhiro Oshima of the Tokyo Marathon (29:48)

Abbott, a global healthcare leader and the title sponsor of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, sponsored the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K for the 10th year, celebrating what’s possible with good health.

The Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K began on Manhattan’s East Side near the United Nations, then took runners along 42nd Street past historic Grand Central Terminal and up Sixth Avenue past the world-famous Radio City Music Hall. After tackling the rolling hills of Central Park, athletes ended the race at the iconic TCS New York City Marathon finish line.