New York City Marathon 2025: Global Runners, Record Hopes, and Kipchoge’s NYC Debut

As autumn leaves begin to turn, New York City is gearing up for one of its most anticipated annual traditions: the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. Now in its 54th edition, the world’s largest marathon will once again transform the “Big Apple” into a stage of endurance, diversity, and human spirit. The 26.2-mile journey through all five boroughs—Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan—offers a challenge and celebration for both elite athletes and first-time runners alike.

On Sunday, November 2, 2025, the city will pulse with energy as the race begins at 8:00 a.m. ET, igniting a day-long display of stamina, unity, and inspiration. Last year’s marathon saw a record-breaking 55,642 runners from 137 countries, finishing with an average time of 4 hours, 31 minutes, and 31 seconds. Organizers expect another record turnout this year, reaffirming the event’s reputation as a truly global phenomenon.

Elite Runners Set for Fierce Competition

The professional lineup this year is among the strongest in marathon history, with race officials hinting that this could be the fastest NYC Marathon ever. Defending champions Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya will return to defend their crowns in the men’s and women’s open divisions, respectively.

In the women’s wheelchair division, American powerhouse Susannah Scaroni returns, while last year’s men’s wheelchair champion, Daniel Romanchuk, will miss the race due to a shoulder injury sustained during the Sydney Marathon.

The men’s open field welcomes a legend: Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya, a two-time Olympic gold medalist (Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020) and world record holder, making his New York debut. He’ll face tough competition from former champions Evans Chebet (2022) and Albert Korir (2021), promising a thrilling finish.

The women’s field is equally stacked, featuring defending champion Helen Obiri (Kenya), Sharon Lokedi (Kenya, 2022 champion), and Sheila Chepkirui, setting the stage for what could be a dominant Kenyan performance. Adding to the excitement, Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands—fresh off her Olympic gold medal in Paris—will make her NYC debut after defeating both Obiri and Lokedi earlier this year.

American Hopes and Celebrity Spotlight

American runners are eager to break their long drought: no U.S. man has won in 16 years, and no American woman since 2017. All eyes will be on the home contenders to see if they can reclaim victory on domestic soil.

Adding star power to this year’s event is former New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia, newly inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, who will serve as the Grand Marshal—bringing a touch of baseball glory to marathon Sunday.

Race Details and Spectator Experience

The marathon kicks off with staggered start times: professional men’s wheelchair athletes begin at 8:00 a.m., followed by women’s wheelchair competitors at 8:02 a.m., and elite professional runners starting at 9:05 a.m. Waves of amateur participants will follow throughout the morning.

The event will be broadcast nationally from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m. ET, with expanded local coverage in the New York metro area. Spectators can cheer runners along most of the route—from mile 3 through mile 26—for free, or purchase grandstand seats near Central Park for a premium viewing experience. A dedicated mobile app will allow fans to track runners’ progress live.

Route and Rewards

The 26.2-mile course begins on Staten Island’s Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, then winds through Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx before ending at Central Park’s West Drive near 67th Street. The official race concludes at 10:00 p.m., though all finishers will receive medals, even if their times are not officially recorded.

Prize money is equally distributed among men’s and women’s divisions. Open category winners earn $100,000 each, with a $50,000 bonus for breaking course records. The top American male and female runners receive $25,000 each, while wheelchair champions collect $50,000 apiece.

Current course records stand at:

• Men’s open: 2:04:58 (Tamirat Tola, 2023)

• Women’s open: 2:22:31 (Margaret Okayo, 2003)

• Men’s wheelchair: 1:25:26 (Marcel Hug, 2022)

• Women’s wheelchair: 1:39:32 (Catherine Debrunner, 2023)

Weather forecasts predict ideal marathon conditions—starting in the upper 40s°F and rising to around 55°F by afternoon, with clear skies and winds up to 15 mph, offering both challenge and comfort for runners and fans alike.