© TCS New York City Marathon
New York City Marathon 2025: Hellen Obiri and Benson Kipruto Triumph, Eliud Kipchoge in Tears at the Finish Line
It was the grand finale of the marathon season. This Sunday, more than 59,000 runners crossed New York City’s five boroughs to close out the 2025 Abbott World Marathon Majors. The 54th edition of the New York City Marathon once again showcased the dominance of Kenya: Hellen Obiri claimed victory in the women’s race with a record-breaking 2:19:51, while Benson Kipruto won the men’s race in 2:08:09 after an epic sprint finish—the closest in the event’s history. For the first time ever, both men’s and women’s podiums were entirely Kenyan. But the defining image of the day was Eliud Kipchoge, tears streaming down his face as he crossed the finish line, closing the final chapter of his extraordinary career on the world’s greatest marathon stages.
| Hellen Obiri Has the Final Word — and Breaks the Course Record
The women’s race delivered everything it promised. With eight women who had already run under 2:20, this year’s elite field was the strongest in the marathon’s history.
From the opening kilometers, a tight front pack formed—led by the last three champions: Hellen Obiri, Sharon Lokedi, and Sheila Chepkirui—a 100% Kenyan trio. Behind them, Americans Emily Sisson, Fiona O’Keeffe, Annie Frisbie, and Dutch star Sifan Hassan tried to keep pace, hitting the halfway point in 1:11:01.
After crossing the Queensboro Bridge, the runners returned to the frenzy of Manhattan. Along First Avenue, amid deafening cheers, the lead pack accelerated—down to just five contenders. The long-standing course record (2:22:31 by Margaret Okayo in 2003) was under serious threat.
On the long six-kilometer stretch through the Upper East Side, the Kenyan trio took control. O’Keeffe hung on, Hassan surged intermittently, but the marathon’s brutal reality eventually took its toll—the pair were dropped before Central Park.
As they entered the park, the same three as in 2023 and 2024 remained. Lokedi launched several uphill attacks, trying to break Obiri and Chepkirui. Chepkirui held on for a while but began to fade.
Then, with 800 meters to go, Obiri struck. Her long, powerful stride carried her past Lokedi, surging away to an emphatic victory. Her time—2:19:51—shattered the course record by nearly three minutes. Lokedi finished 16 seconds behind, while Chepkirui secured the all-Kenyan podium in 2:20:24.
Behind them, Fiona O’Keeffe became the fastest American woman ever in New York (2:22:49), ahead of Frisbie (2:24:12) and Sisson (2:25:05), confirming the rise of American women’s marathon running. Sifan Hassan, still feeling the effects of her Sydney win, finished sixth.
Hellen Obiri remporte le marathon de New York et bat le record de l'épreuve !
Le Kényane devient la première femme à boucler ce marathon en moins de 2h20' ! #lequipeATHLE pic.twitter.com/uMP7lu7Wff
— L'Équipe (@lequipe) November 2, 2025
Between Obiri and Lokedi, it’s become a recurring duel of redemption. After being beaten in Boston earlier this year, the two-time Olympic medalist took her revenge in New York—executing a flawless race plan, a perfectly timed negative split, and a champion’s finish through Central Park. Obiri has now cemented her place among the greatest marathoners of the decade.
Top 10 – Women
1. Hellen Obiri (KEN) – 2:19:51
2. Sharon Lokedi (KEN) – 2:20:07
3. Sheila Chepkirui (KEN) – 2:20:24
4. Fiona O’Keeffe (USA) – 2:22:49
5. Annie Frisbie (USA) – 2:24:12
6. Sifan Hassan (NED) – 2:24:43
7. Jessica Warner-Judd (GBR) – 2:24:45
8. Emily Sisson (USA) – 2:25:05
9. Amanda Vestri (USA) – 2:25:40
10. Fionnuala McCormack (IRL) – 2:27:00
| Benson Kipruto Wins a Thrilling Sprint Finish
The men’s race came down to a breathless finale. For more than half the course, the lead pack stayed together—around twenty runners maintaining a cautious pace, with Eliud Kipchoge, Kenenisa Bekele, and all the favorites running side by side. They reached halfway in 1:05:18, well off course-record pace (2:04:58, set by Tamirat Tola in 2023).
At the 25 km mark, on the Queensboro Bridge, American Hillary Bor—a former steeplechaser—lit the fuse, breaking up the pack. By 30 km, only eight remained. Then six. Then four: Benson Kipruto, Alexander Mutiso, Albert Korir, and Britain’s Patrick Dever, who was outstanding in his marathon debut.
As the race entered the hilly stretches of Central Park, Korir and Dever cracked, leaving the two Kenyans alone. The duel was fierce. In the final 400 meters, Kipruto surged and looked to have it sealed—but Mutiso unleashed a last, desperate sprint, closing in like a rocket.
They crossed the line shoulder-to-shoulder in 2:08:09, separated by just 0.16 seconds—the narrowest margin in New York City Marathon history. Kipruto was declared the winner via photo finish, adding another World Marathon Major to his collection after victories in Boston (2021), Chicago (2022), and Tokyo (2024)—making him the first athlete ever to win all three U.S. Majors.
Quelle arrivée de folie sur le marathon de New York !
Benson Kipruto s'impose devant Alexander Mutiso pour seulement 16 centièmes de seconde ! #lequipeATHLE pic.twitter.com/W8pVCDYbaQ
— L'Équipe (@lequipe) November 2, 2025
For Alexander Mutiso, it was confirmation of his world-class status. After winning London 2024 and finishing runner-up there this year, the 29-year-old Kenyan proved his resilience on one of the sport’s toughest courses. Korir rounded out the podium (2:08:57), just ahead of Dever (2:08:58).
The top ten featured remarkable depth: Switzerland’s Matthias Kyburz (5th), Americans Joel Reichow (6th), Charles Hicks (7th), and Joe Klecker (10th), plus Norway’s Sondre Nordstad Moen (8th) and Eritrea’s Tsegay Weldibanos (9th). Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele dropped out just before 30 km.
Top 10 – Men
1. Benson Kipruto (KEN) – 2:08:09
2. Alexander Mutiso (KEN) – 2:08:09
3. Albert Korir (KEN) – 2:08:57
4. Patrick Dever (GBR) – 2:08:58
5. Matthias Kyburz (SUI) – 2:09:55
6. Joel Reichow (USA) – 2:09:56
7. Charles Hicks (USA) – 2:09:59
8. Sondre Nordstad Moen (NOR) – 2:10:15
9. Tsegay Weldibanos (ERI) – 2:10:36
10. Joe Klecker (USA) – 2:10:37
…
17. Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) – 2:14:36
| Eliud Kipchoge: Tears from the GOAT
It wasn’t a victory—or even a podium. But it was his moment. At 41, Eliud Kipchoge finally ran New York. The double Olympic champion had nothing left to prove, yet he approached the race with his trademark composure and quiet determination.
Running with the leaders through halfway, he eventually slowed in the latter stages, finishing 17th in 2:14:36. But time didn’t matter. The image that will remain is of Kipchoge in tears at the finish line—because by crossing it, he became a Six Star Finisher, completing all six World Marathon Majors (Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York).
For the man with 11 Major victories, this was the closing chapter of a golden era. Kipchoge no longer runs to win—he runs to inspire. Thousands lined Central Park to witness his graceful stride one last time.
After the race, he announced his next project: “Eliud Kipchoge Running World” — an ambitious new journey combining sport and outreach, with a goal of running seven marathons across the seven continents within the next two years.
| French Runners Face a Tough Day in New York
For the French contingent, New York was bittersweet. Félix Bour, well-placed through halfway (1:05:20), dropped out at kilometer 34 after struggling with illness. It was a tough blow for the debutant who had aimed for a top 10 finish.
Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse battled through to finish 16th in 2:13:05—below his expectations but the top French performance of the day on this notoriously demanding course.
Special mention to former Koh-Lanta adventurer Dorian Louvet, who completed his incredible Miles of Discovery project: running all seven World Marathon Majors in a single year, averaging under 2:30 per race. His results were remarkable:
Tokyo – 2:18:56
Boston – 2:33:41
London – 2:33:23
Sydney – 2:28:34
Berlin – 2:28:24
Chicago – 2:25:27
New York – 2:27:09
| New York: A City, an Atmosphere, a Legend
There’s the New York City Marathon—and then there’s everything else. The bridges are brutal, the descents unforgiving, but nothing compares to the energy of the streets.
With two million spectators lining the route, live bands in every borough, and handmade signs cheering runners through the Bronx and Brooklyn, the city transforms into one giant festival. Conditions this year were perfect: around 10°C (50°F) at the start, clear skies, and almost no wind.
For the 59,000 runners from around the globe, this was more than a race—it was a life experience. Running down First Avenue amid the roar of the crowd, catching glimpses of the Manhattan skyline, crossing the finish line in Central Park… In New York, you don’t just chase the clock—you run to feel alive, to experience that mix of exhaustion, euphoria, and emotion that only finishers truly understand.
2025 will go down as a historic edition: Hellen Obiri delivered a masterclass and a record, Benson Kipruto gave us a sprint for the ages, Eliud Kipchoge offered a farewell full of grace and emotion. Once again, New York lived up to its legend—spectacular, unpredictable, magical. And already, all eyes turn to next year’s race.
✔ See all results from the 2025 New York City Marathon
Clément LABORIEUX
Journalist
