It happened. The 2025 TCS New York City Marathon results are in, and honestly, if you didn't see the finish line footage, you might think the timers were broken. People expected a grind. New York is usually a tactical, slow-burn slog through the boroughs, but this year? It was a track meet disguised as a road race.
The photo finish that broke the internet
Let’s talk about the men’s race first. Imagine running 26.2 miles just to have it decided by three-hundredths of a second. That is basically the blink of an eye. Benson Kipruto and Alexander Mutiso Munyao turned Central Park into a 100-meter dash.
✨ Don't miss: Super Bowl Game Stats: What Most People Get Wrong
Both men officially clocked 2:08:09.
Kipruto somehow found a gear he didn't know he had in the final ten meters. It was the closest finish in the history of this race. Period. By winning, Kipruto pulled off something legendary: he’s now won Boston, Chicago, and New York. He’s basically the king of American pavement at this point.
Albert Korir followed them for third at 2:08:57, which completed a total Kenyan sweep of the podium. You've got to feel for Mutiso, though. To be that close after two hours of pounding pavement is just brutal.
Hellen Obiri didn't just win; she demolished the record
While the men were busy with their photo finish, Hellen Obiri was busy rewriting history. For 22 years, Margaret Okayo’s course record of 2:22:31 stood like a brick wall. Most experts thought it was untouchable because the New York course is so hilly and moody.
Obiri didn't care.
She crossed the line in 2:19:51.
She didn't just break the record; she took a sledgehammer to it. What’s even crazier is that the entire top three—Obiri, Sharon Lokedi (2:20:07), and Sheila Chepkirui (2:20:24)—all ran faster than the old record. It was a complete shift in how women are attacking this course. They aren't waiting for the park anymore. They're hammering from the Bronx.
Top 10 Women’s Elite Results
- Hellen Obiri (KEN): 2:19:51
- 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
- Jessica Warner-Judd (GBR): 2:24:45
- Emily Sisson (USA): 2:25:05
- Amanda Vestri (USA): 2:25:40
- Fionnuala McCormack (IRL): 2:27:00
The American "New Guard" is here
If you're a fan of U.S. distance running, you're probably grinning today. Fiona O’Keeffe was an absolute beast. She finished 4th with a time of 2:22:49. That is the fastest time an American woman has ever recorded on the New York City course.
She beat Sifan Hassan. Let that sink in.
Hassan, the Olympic hero, struggled in the second half and ended up 6th. It shows that New York doesn't care about your medals; it only cares about your quads on those bridges.
On the men’s side, Joel Reichow took the top American spot, finishing 6th in 2:09:56. It was a day for debuts, too. Charles Hicks (7th) and Joe Klecker (10th) proved that the track-to-marathon pipeline is very much alive and well.
59,226: A world record for participation
The 2025 TCS New York City Marathon results aren't just about the elites. This was officially the largest marathon in human history.
59,226 people finished.
Think about the logistics of that for a second. That is a mid-sized city all moving toward one point in Central Park. The DNF (Did Not Finish) rate was a tiny 0.73%. People were determined. The last finishers didn't cross until nearly 10:00 p.m., hours after Kipruto and Obiri were probably already tucked into bed.
💡 You might also like: Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction: Why the Post-Marner Era is Weirder Than You Think
Wheelchair dominance and the "Silver Bullet"
The wheelchair division was less of a race and more of a victory lap for two of the greats. Marcel Hug, known as the "Silver Bullet," won his seventh New York title with a 1:30:16. He’s now a "Streaker," which is the NYRR term for someone who has finished 15 of these things.
Susannah Scaroni defended her title for the women, clocking 1:42:10. She finished five minutes ahead of the legendary Tatyana McFadden. Scaroni is basically in a league of her own right now.
What these results actually mean for you
If you’re looking at these TCS New York City Marathon results and thinking about your own running, there are some pretty cool takeaways. First off, the "super shoe" era is no longer just for flat courses like Berlin. We are seeing fast times everywhere.
Secondly, the strategy for New York is changing. Traditionally, you'd save everything for the final three miles in the park. But Obiri and the lead men started pressing the pace much earlier.
Actionable Insights for your next race:
- Negative Splits Matter: The elite men ran the second half faster than the first. Most amateurs do the opposite. If you want a PR, hold back on the Verrazzano and the 59th Street Bridge.
- Strength over Speed: The runners who thrived this year were the ones who had been doing heavy hill work. O'Keeffe's performance was a masterclass in power.
- Hydration is Key: Even in the 2025 conditions, which were pretty decent, the mid-pack runners who hit the wall usually did so because they missed early salt and water.
The 2025 race proved that New York isn't just a "scenic" marathon anymore. It's a fast one. Whether you were one of the 59,226 finishers or you're just looking at the data to plan your 2026 entry, the bar has officially been raised.
If you're planning to run next year, start your hill training now. Seriously. Those Central Park inclines at mile 24 are a different kind of pain. For now, we just get to marvel at Kipruto's three-hundredths of a second and Obiri's legendary record.
🔗 Read more: Pittsburgh Steelers Re-sign Quarterback Logan Woodside: Why It Actually Matters
Check the full searchable database on the NYRR site if you're looking for a specific bib number or friend's time.
Next year’s lottery opens sooner than you think. Stay hydrated.
Next Steps for You
- Analyze Your Splits: If you ran, download your GPX data and compare your 5K segments to the elite negative split strategy.
- Review Your Gear: Notice that nearly every top finisher was in the latest carbon-plated prototypes; if you're still in daily trainers, it might be time for an upgrade.
- Sign Up for the 2026 Drawing: Keep an eye on the NYRR dashboard in early February to get your name in the hat for the next record-breaking field.