When you think about the NYC marathon winner time, your mind probably jumps to those blistering world records you see in Berlin or Chicago. But here is the thing: New York is a different beast entirely. It’s not flat. It’s not easy. If you’re looking for the most recent numbers, Kenya’s Benson Kipruto just pulled off a win in 2025 with a time of 2:08:09.
Think about that for a second.
He won by three-hundredths of a second. It was basically a photo finish after 26.2 miles. Honestly, that kind of margin is unheard of in distance running. You usually see winners cruising into Central Park with a comfortable lead, waving to the crowds. Not this time. Kipruto and Alexander Mutiso were stride for stride until the very last gasp.
The Breaking of a 22-Year Curse
While the men’s race was a tactical nail-biter, the women’s side was a straight-up demolition of the history books. For over two decades, Margaret Okayo’s record of 2:22:31 stood like a brick wall. People thought it might never fall because of the bridges. The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge at the start and the Queensboro Bridge at mile 15 usually suck the soul out of even the best elite runners.
Then came Hellen Obiri.
In the 2025 race, she didn't just break the record; she obliterated it. She clocked in at 2:19:51. That is the new NYC marathon winner time to beat for the women's open division. Seeing a sub-2:20 on that course feels a bit like seeing someone sprint up a mountain. It’s not just about speed; it’s about how she managed the rolling hills of Central Park at the very end when most people’s legs feel like concrete.
A Quick Look at the Current Course Records
- Men's Open: Tamirat Tola (2023) – 2:04:58
- Women's Open: Hellen Obiri (2025) – 2:19:51
- Men's Wheelchair: Marcel Hug (2022) – 1:25:26
- Women's Wheelchair: Catherine Debrunner (2023) – 1:39:32
Why New York Times Aren't "Slow"
You’ve gotta understand the "New York tax." If a runner clocks a 2:05 in NYC, they are likely capable of a 2:03 on a flat course like Berlin. The bridges are the real killers. You start on a massive incline over the Verrazzano. Then you’ve got the quiet, eerie wind of the Queensboro Bridge where there are no spectators allowed. It messes with your head.
Tamirat Tola’s 2023 performance is still the gold standard for the men. He ran 2:04:58, which was the first time anyone had ever dipped under 2:05 in the five boroughs. He was a late addition to that field, too. He only joined three weeks before the race after some other stars dropped out. Imagine being a "backup" and then setting the course record. Talk about a good day at the office.
American Hope and the "Fiona Factor"
We have to talk about Fiona O’Keeffe. If you follow American distance running, you know the struggle of trying to keep up with the East African powerhouse runners. In 2025, Fiona finished fourth with a time of 2:22:49.
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Why does that matter?
Because it’s the fastest time ever recorded by an American woman on this specific course. She beat Molly Seidel’s previous American course best by nearly two minutes. It’s a huge signal that the gap is closing, even if we aren't quite atop the podium yet.
The Wheelchair Division is Just Faster
If you want to see true speed, look at the wheelchair athletes. They finish long before the lead runners even hit Manhattan. In 2025, Susannah Scaroni defended her title with a 1:42:10. She’s basically a legend at this point.
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Then you have Marcel Hug, the "Silver Bullet." The guy is a machine. He won his seventh NYC title in 2025 with a time of 1:30:16. He’s won so many times that the New York Road Runners officially call him a "Streaker"—someone who has finished at least 15 New York City Marathons.
What This Means for Your Own Goals
So, what do you actually do with all this data? Unless you’re an elite athlete, comparing your time to a 2:08 is just going to make you feel bad. But there are lessons here.
- Don't go out too fast. The first mile is uphill over a bridge. If you chase the elite splits early, you'll pay for it in the Bronx.
- Watch the finish. Look at Benson Kipruto's 2025 win. It came down to three-hundredths of a second. Even if you're just trying to beat your neighbor, every second counts in that final stretch of Central Park.
- Course context matters. A 4-hour finish in New York is arguably "better" than a 4-hour finish in a flat midwestern city. The elevation changes here are relentless.
The NYC marathon winner time is more than just a number on a clock. It’s a reflection of how a human being handled five boroughs, five bridges, and a stadium-like atmosphere that doesn't let up for 26.2 miles.
To see how these times have shifted over the decades, you can look at the historical data provided by New York Road Runners, who have tracked every winner since the race started with just 55 finishers back in 1970. We've come a long way from Gary Muhrcke’s winning time of 2:31:38.
If you’re planning to run next year or just want to track the elites, pay attention to the humidity and the wind on the bridges. Those are the silent "time-adders" that the pros fear more than the hills themselves.
To apply these insights to your own training, start by incorporating "bridge repeats" or long sustained climbs into your weekend runs. Most runners fail in NYC not because they lack speed, but because their quads give out on the downhill sections following the bridges. Master the descent, and you'll find yourself much closer to your own personal "winner's time" when you finally hit that finish line at Tavern on the Green.