New York City Marathon 2025: Obiri’s Record Blitz and Kipruto’s Photo-Finish Glory
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NEW YORK, NY — November 2, 2025 Featured Image Credit of Hellen Obiri/Benson
Featured Image Credit of Kipruto/Mutiso/Obiri: © New York Road Runners
The 2025 TCS New York City Marathon delivered an instant classic, marked by an electric pace and a spectacular display of endurance on the grueling five-borough course. Kenyan legends Hellen Obiri and Benson Kipruto seized the standard marathon titles, with Obiri running an unprecedented course record, and Kipruto emerging victorious from the closest elite men’s finish in the race’s 54-year history. The day was rounded out by dominant repeat victories from Swiss 'Silver Bullet' Marcel Hug and American star Susannah Scaroni in the wheelchair races.
Men's Race: The Closest Finish in Marathon History
The men's race was a tense, strategic affair that exploded into a desperate sprint finish through Central Park. Benson Kipruto (KEN) and Alexander Mutiso (KEN) were locked in a shoulder-to-shoulder battle in the final meters, crossing the finish line together in a moment of unparalleled drama.
Kipruto was ultimately awarded the win, securing his fourth World Marathon Major title. Both men were officially clocked at an identical time of 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 9 seconds (2:08:09), with Kipruto prevailing by a virtually imperceptible three-hundredths of a second (0.03s). The excitement continued deep into the field, where legendary six-time winner Eliud Kipchoge completed the final major of his career, earning his coveted Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star medal in a time of 2:14:36.
Men's Leading Results (Standard Marathon)
Benson Kipruto (KEN): 2:08:09 Alexander Mutiso (KEN): 2:08:09 Albert Korir (KEN): 2:08:57 Patrick Dever (GBR): 2:08:58 Matthias Kyburz (SUI): 2:09:55
Women's Division: Obiri Smashes the 22-Year Course Mark
The women’s race was a masterclass in aggressive pacing, led by Hellen Obiri (KEN), who successfully defended her title. Obiri ran with unwavering focus from the start, crushing the field and the clock in the process.
Her astonishing winning time of 2 hours, 19 minutes, and 51 seconds (2:19:51) dismantled the venerable 2:22:31 course record set by Margaret Okayo in 2003, making Obiri the first woman to break the 2:20 barrier on the difficult NYC course. Obiri led a historic Kenyan sweep, with Sharon Lokedi and Sheila Chepkirui also finishing well under the old record. Two-time champion Sifan Hassan (NED) struggled in the later stages, fading from the lead pack around 30 kilometers to finish 6th in a time of 2:24:43. The top American, Fiona O'Keeffe, also made history, placing 4th in 2:22:49—the fastest time ever recorded by an American woman in New York City.
Women's Leading Results (Standard Marathon)
Hellen Obiri (KEN): 2:19:51 (NEW COURSE RECORD) Sharon Lokedi (KEN): 2:20:07 Sheila Chepkirui (KEN): 2:20:24 Fiona O'Keeffe (USA): 2:22:49 Annie Frisbie (USA): 2:24:12 Sifan Hassan (NED): 2:24:43
Wheelchair Dominance: Hug and Scaroni Untouchable
The professional wheelchair races showcased two of the world’s most dominant athletes. The Swiss 'Silver Bullet,' Marcel Hug, secured his record-extending seventh New York City title with an authoritative win in 1:30:16.
In the women's division, American champion Susannah Scaroni delivered a stellar performance to successfully defend her title. Scaroni earned her third career New York City crown with a decisive time of 1:42:10, leading a strong showing for the USA.
Wheelchair Leading Results
Men
Marcel Hug (SUI): 1:30:16 David Weir (GBR): 1:34:09 Tomoki Suzuki (JPN): 1:36:28
Women
Susannah Scaroni (USA): 1:42:10 Tatyana McFadden (USA): 1:47:54 Catherine Debrunner (SUI): 1:47:56
The 2025 TCS New York City Marathon cemented its status as an elite endurance battleground, celebrating new records, heart-stopping finishes, and global champions.