© TCS New York City Marathon
The Key Numbers Behind the 2025 New York City Marathon: A Record-Breaking Edition
he world’s biggest marathon is back at the top of the running world. For many runners, it’s the marathon of marathons—the ultimate bucket-list race. The 54th edition of the TCS New York City Marathon delivered another unforgettable spectacle: Eliud Kipchoge earning his long-awaited Six Star Finisher medal, a new course record in the women’s race, and a world record for the number of finishers. Here’s a closer look at the key figures that made this year’s event the greatest marathon on the planet.
| 59,226 Finishers — A New World Record
It’s official: New York City has reclaimed its title as the largest marathon in the world with 59,226 finishers. A human tide sweeping through the five boroughs—from the Verrazzano Bridge to Central Park—made this year’s race truly spectacular.
Demand for bibs continues to skyrocket, with hundreds of thousands entering the lottery each year. Among the world’s biggest marathons, New York leads the pack ahead of London, Paris, Berlin, and Chicago.
| 0.73% — One of the Lowest DNF Rates in the World
Out of 59,662 starters, 59,226 reached the finish line—an astonishingly low 0.73% dropout rate.
How does New York pull it off on such a tough course? The organization’s philosophy is simple: every runner matters. With a generous cutoff time and volunteers lining the streets until late evening, finishers are celebrated equally—from the first elite to the very last participant.
The final runners cross the line close to 10 p.m., more than ten hours after the last wave starts at 11:30 a.m.
| 2 Million Spectators
Two million people filled the streets of New York. That’s the true magic of this race—running through the five boroughs surrounded by an atmosphere unlike anywhere else.
For New Yorkers, the first Sunday of November isn’t just race day—it’s the city’s biggest party.
Some even call it “the world’s largest block party.”
Music, cheers, handmade signs, and dance performances on every corner—plus the legendary “sound wall” on First Avenue that propels runners toward Central Park.
The NYC Marathon isn’t just a race; it’s a celebration of everything that makes the city electric.
| 2:19:51 — New Women’s Course Record
Kenya’s Hellen Obiri smashed the long-standing course record from 2003 (2:22:31 by Margaret Okayo), winning in 2:19:51—her second New York victory.
Behind her, Sharon Lokedi (2:20:07) and Sheila Chepkirui (2:20:24) also finished under the old record, making it a Kenyan sweep of the podium.
The women’s field was one of the deepest in the event’s history—and it lived up to the hype.
| 7 Women Under 2:25
Obiri, Lokedi, Chepkirui, O’Keeffe, Frisbie, Hassan, and Warner-Judd all broke 2:25—an exceptional display of depth on one of the world’s toughest courses.
That’s part of the New York magic: a mix of brutal challenge and world-class performances.
| 4 American Women in the Top 10
A historic day for American marathon running.
Fiona O’Keeffe finished 4th in 2:22:49, the fastest time ever by an American woman in New York.
Annie Frisbie (5th, 2:24:12), Emily Sisson (8th, 2:25:05), and Amanda Vestri (9th, 2:25:40) confirmed the rise of a new generation of American marathoners.
| 2:22:49 — New American Course Record
Fiona O’Keeffe’s time of 2:22:49 set a new American course record, breaking Molly Seidel’s 2021 mark (2:24:42).
Frisbie also beat that time, running 2:24:12—proof that the U.S. women’s field is deeper and stronger than ever.
| 0.03 Seconds — The Closest Men’s Finish in History
Just three hundredths of a second separated winner Benson Kipruto and runner-up Alexander Mutiso, both clocking 2:08:09.
It was the tightest finish ever in New York history.
On the final climb through Central Park, Kipruto surged ahead, only for Mutiso to launch a desperate, lightning-fast sprint.
In the end, Kipruto held on by the slimmest of margins to take the crown.
| 1 Second Between 3rd and 4th
The battle for the final podium spot was just as thrilling: Albert Korir (2:08:57) edged out Britain’s Patrick Dever (2:08:58) by a single second.
The Central Park hills delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in years—more track race than marathon.
| 2 Kenyan Podium Sweeps
A rare and dominant performance: Kenya swept both podiums—Obiri, Lokedi, and Chepkirui in the women’s race; Kipruto, Mutiso, and Korir in the men’s.
A perfect showcase of Kenyan excellence over the marathon distance.
| 2:05:46 — Kipchoge’s Average Time Across All Six Majors
Eliud Kipchoge, widely considered the GOAT of marathon running, finally completed his Six Star Finisher journey in New York.
At 41, he averaged an astonishing 2:05:46 across the six World Marathon Majors.
His résumé includes:
– World Record in Berlin (2022 – 2:01:09)
– First Major win in Chicago (2014 – 2:04:11)
– Triumph in London (2019 – 2:02:37)
– Victory in Tokyo (2022 – 2:02:39)
– A gritty Boston finish (2023 – 2:09:23)
– And now, New York (2025 – 2:14:36), his final dance.
Twenty-five marathons. Eleven Major victories. One legend.
| 7th NYC Title for Wheelchair Champion Marcel Hug
Switzerland’s Marcel Hug captured his seventh New York title, winning in 1:30:16—a stunning display of longevity and dominance.
In the women’s wheelchair division, American Susannah Scaroni defended her crown with 1:42:10.
| Nearly One-Third of Runners from Abroad
This year’s race was as global as ever: 31% of finishers—more than 18,600 runners—came from 132 different countries.
After the U.S., the most represented nations were Italy, the United Kingdom, and France.
| 4:32:25 — The Average Finish Time
New York isn’t designed for fast times—it’s about the experience.
Runners come to chase dreams, raise money for charity, or honor loved ones.
The average finisher crossed the line in 4:32:25, proof that this marathon is as much about heart as it is about speed.
| 45.9% Women — Record Female Participation
Women made up 45.9% of participants (27,156 runners), compared to 53.9% men and 0.24% non-binary athletes.
That’s a record across all three categories.
Alongside Chicago, New York now ranks among the most inclusive marathons in the world, with participation rising fastest among women under 30—1,000 more than last year.
| 91 Years Old — The Oldest Finisher
Age is just a number.
Japan’s Koichi Kitabatake (91) completed the race in 7:25:13, while America’s Judith Sorn (83) crossed the line in 8:34:50—a testament to endurance and determination.
At the other end of the spectrum, the youngest finishers, both 18, were Raghav Sharma (3:35:32) and Sydney Klein (6:01:34), proving the NYC Marathon truly spans generations.
The New York City Marathon isn’t just a race—it’s a global celebration. Each November, the Big Apple becomes the world capital of running. This year had it all: a record number of finishers, a historic women’s record, a photo-finish men’s duel, and thousands of stories between Staten Island and Central Park. It was big. It was bold. It was New York.
✔ See the full results of the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon on the official website.
Clément LABORIEUX
Journalist
