The streets were packed. Honestly, it was a bit overwhelming. On November 3, 2024, the 53rd running of the TCS New York City Marathon didn't just break records; it basically rewrote the book on what a mass-participation event looks like. Over 55,000 people crossed that finish line in Central Park. To be precise, 55,646 finishers. That makes it the largest marathon ever held on the planet.
But the numbers only tell half the story.
If you were watching the elite fields, you saw something kinda rare: tactical masterclasses that came down to the absolute final strides. No one blew the field away at mile 10. Instead, we got a slugfest in the park.
The Men’s Elite: Abdi Nageeye’s Long-Awaited Crown
Abdi Nageeye has been the "almost" guy for a while in New York. He’d finished fifth, third, and fourth in previous years. But the New York marathon results 2024 finally put his name at the top. Nageeye, representing the Netherlands, clocked a 2:07:39.
He didn't have it easy.
Evans Chebet, the 2022 champion, was right there. They were shoulder-to-shoulder entering Central Park, trading grimaces. You could see the tension in their form. With about 400 meters to go, Nageeye found a gear that Chebet just didn't have. He pulled away to win by a mere six seconds.
It was a massive redemption arc for Nageeye. Remember, he had a heartbreaking DNF (Did Not Finish) at the Paris Olympics just months prior. Coming back from that kind of mental low to win a Major is legitimately impressive. Albert Korir rounded out the podium in 2:08:00, making it a very tight race for the top three spots.
The American men had a solid day too. Conner Mantz and Clayton Young, the "marathon bros" who finished side-by-side at the Olympics, took sixth and seventh. Mantz’s 2:09:00 was actually the fastest time by an American in New York since Alberto Salazar back in 1981.
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A Historic Sweep in the Women’s Race
The women’s finish was even more of a nail-biter. Imagine running 26 miles only to have the whole thing decided by a sprint in the last 600 meters. That’s exactly what Sheila Chepkirui did to the defending champ, Hellen Obiri.
Chepkirui was a bit of a wildcard. It was her New York debut.
She stayed tucked in a lead pack that refused to break. By mile 25, it was down to Chepkirui, Obiri, and the legendary 41-year-old Vivian Cheruiyot. Chepkirui eventually hit the gas, crossing in 2:24:35. Obiri, who usually has an unbeatable kick, finished 14 seconds back.
This result was historic for a specific reason: it was a Kenyan sweep. Gold, silver, and bronze all went to Kenya. We haven't seen a single-country sweep on the women's side in New York since the Americans did it in 1976.
On the domestic side, Sara Vaughn was the top American woman, placing sixth in 2:26:56. It's wild to think she's a mom of four and a full-time realtor, yet she’s out here outrunning world-class elites.
Wheelchair Division: Team USA Dominance
Usually, the wheelchair races are dominated by "Silver Bullet" Marcel Hug or Catherine Debrunner. Not this time. 2024 was the year of the Americans.
Daniel Romanchuk reclaimed the title he last held in 2019, finishing in 1:36:31. He had to fend off Great Britain’s David Weir in a sprint finish that was way closer than it should have been after 26 miles.
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On the women’s side, Susannah Scaroni didn't just win; she demolished the field. She finished in 1:48:05, which was more than ten minutes ahead of the legend Tatyana McFadden. Seeing two Americans take the top spots in the wheelchair division on home soil was probably the loudest the crowd got all day.
Famous Faces and Fast Times
Let's talk about the "notables." People love to see how celebrities handle the Verrazzano Bridge.
YouTube legend Casey Neistat finally hit his "sub-3" goal. He’s been chasing it for years. He finished in 2:57:48, even after his coach tripped over a spectator’s cart earlier in the race. That’s grit.
Other interesting finishes:
- Matt James (The Bachelor): 3:46:45.
- Jennifer Connelly (Actress): 3:59:10.
- Randall Park (Actor): 4:16:18.
- Vinny Guadagnino (Jersey Shore): 4:19:44.
Honestly, seeing Jennifer Connelly break four hours is seriously impressive. Most people don't realize how much training that takes, especially on a course as hilly as New York.
The Weather and the Vibes
The conditions were actually pretty great for running, though maybe a bit chilly for the spectators standing on First Avenue for five hours. It was about 46 degrees at the start with low humidity. Wind can be a nightmare on the bridges, but it stayed relatively calm at around 14 mph.
Why does this matter? Well, New York isn't a "fast" course. It’s not Berlin or Chicago where everything is flat. You have to deal with the incline of the Queensboro Bridge at mile 16, which is basically a silent killer. Then you have the rolling hills of Central Park at the very end when your legs feel like concrete.
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The fact that the New York marathon results 2024 showed such high finishing rates—over 99% of starters finished—speaks to how lucky the runners got with the weather window.
What You Can Learn from the 2024 Results
If you're looking at these times and thinking about your own running journey, there are a few takeaways that actually apply to the rest of us.
First, the "negative split" is king. Sheila Chepkirui ran the second half of her race faster than the first. Most amateurs do the opposite; they go out way too fast in Brooklyn and die in the Bronx. If you want to finish strong, you have to be disciplined early on.
Second, the "pack" matters. Even at the elite level, these runners stay together as long as possible. There’s a psychological benefit to drafting and just "towing" along with others.
Finally, New York is about strength, not just speed. Hellen Obiri said it herself before the race: "New York needs a lot of strength. It’s not about time. It’s about winning." Whether you're trying to win or just trying to finish before the sweep bus, you need to train on hills.
Moving Forward: Getting Into the 2025 Race
If these results inspired you to lace up, you should know that getting into the 2025 race is going to be harder than ever. Because 2024 was such a massive success, the application numbers are expected to skyrocket.
- Check your 9+1 status: If you’re a local, make sure your New York Road Runners (NYRR) membership is active and you've completed your qualifying races.
- The Drawing: Usually happens in March. It’s a literal lottery. Your odds are generally around 4-5%, so don't bank on it.
- Charity Partners: This is the most reliable way to get a bib. Start looking at charities like Team for Kids early, as their spots fill up months before the race.
- Time Qualifiers: If you’re fast, check the new qualifying standards. They changed recently and are significantly tougher now.
The 2024 race proved that the marathon is back and bigger than it was pre-pandemic. Whether you're an elite like Nageeye or a vlogger like Neistat, the finish line in Central Park remains the ultimate goal in the running world. For those looking to dive deeper into the specific splits or find a friend's time, the NYRR official results dashboard allows you to filter by age group and city to see exactly where everyone landed in the historical rankings.