Kenya’s Hellen Obiri shattered the women’s course record to win the 2025 New York City Marathon on Sunday, while fellow Kenyan Benson Kipruto clinched a dramatic victory in the men’s race after a photo finish with Alexander Mutiso.
Obiri, the defending champion from 2023, clocked 2 hours, 19 minutes, and 51 seconds — breaking the previous course record of 2:22:31 set by Margaret Okayo in 2003. She pulled away from her compatriot and 2022 winner, Sharon Lokedi, in the final mile to secure back-to-back titles. Defending champion Sheila Chepkirui finished third, with all three Kenyans beating the previous course best.
In the men’s event, Benson Kipruto edged compatriot Alexander Mutiso in a thrilling finish, both recording a time of 2:08:09. Kipruto surged ahead in the final 200 meters, but Mutiso closed the gap in the last 50 meters, forcing a photo finish. Kenyan Albert Korir, the 2021 winner, came in third, marking a Kenyan sweep of the top three spots in both men’s and women’s races.
Veteran marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge, running the New York City Marathon for the first time, finished 17th as he approaches his 41st birthday.
On the women’s side, the top three Kenyan champions broke away from the pack at Mile 20 in the Bronx. American Fiona O’Keeffe placed fourth, and Annie Frisbie fifth, while Dutch runner Sifan Hassan, winner of the Sydney Marathon two months ago, finished sixth.
This year’s race marked the 49th running across all five boroughs, starting from Staten Island and ending in Manhattan’s Central Park. With cool temperatures in the 50s Fahrenheit, conditions were ideal for the 26.2-mile race.