You think you know what a close race looks like. Maybe a shoulder-to-shoulder sprint in the final hundred meters? But what happened at the finish line of the 2025 race was something else entirely. It was the kind of moment that makes you lean into your screen, squinting at the pixels, wondering if the clock actually just broke.
Honestly, the winner of the New York City Marathon this year didn't just win; they survived a tactical chess match that turned into a drag race in the final three seconds.
Benson Kipruto and the 0.03 Second Miracle
The men’s elite race was, for lack of a better word, a heart attack in sneakers.
Benson Kipruto, a guy who already has wins in Tokyo, Boston, and Chicago, came to New York to complete the set. He looked comfortable. Too comfortable, maybe. As he rounded the final turn in Central Park, he seemed to have the win in his pocket. But Alexander Mutiso had other plans.
Mutiso found a gear that shouldn't exist after 26 miles. He surged. He clawed back. By the time they hit the tape, it looked like a literal tie.
The official timing? Kipruto won by 0.03 seconds.
To put that in perspective: a human blink takes about 0.1 to 0.4 seconds. This was a fraction of a blink. It is officially the closest finish in the history of the New York City Marathon. Kipruto’s time of 2:08:09 now sits in the record books, but Mutiso’s 2:08:09.03 is a haunting reminder of how brutal this sport is.
Kipruto is now the first man in a long time to make a debut in New York and take the crown while fending off a comeback that almost rewritten the script.
Hellen Obiri Didn't Just Win—She Demolished the Past
While the men were busy with their photo finish, Hellen Obiri was busy erasing history.
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Since 2003, Margaret Okayo’s course record of 2:22:31 had stood like an unscalable wall. Many have tried to break it. Most have failed because the New York course is a hilly, bridge-laden monster that eats "fast times" for breakfast.
Obiri didn't care.
She clocked in at 2:19:51.
She didn't just break the record; she took a sledgehammer to it, finishing nearly three minutes faster than the previous best. What’s even wilder is that the top three women—Obiri, Sharon Lokedi, and Sheila Chepkirui—all finished under the old record.
If you want to know why Obiri is considered the "Queen of New York," look at mile 25. She dropped a 4:58 mile on the rolling hills of the park. That isn't just fast; it’s basically disrespectful to the laws of physics after two hours of running.
The 2025 Elite Results (The Top Dogs)
- Men’s Open: Benson Kipruto (KEN) – 2:08:09
- Men’s Runner-Up: Alexander Mutiso (KEN) – 2:08:09 (.03 difference)
- Women’s Open: Hellen Obiri (KEN) – 2:19:51 (New Course Record)
- Women’s Runner-Up: Sharon Lokedi (KEN) – 2:20:07
- Men’s Wheelchair: Marcel Hug (SUI) – 1:30:16 (His 7th title)
- Women’s Wheelchair: Susannah Scaroni (USA) – 1:42:10
Why This Year Felt Different
Usually, New York is a race of attrition. You wait for someone to "crack" on the Queensboro Bridge or die on the long drag up Fifth Avenue.
But this year, the conditions were eerie.
It was about 51°F at the start. Clear skies. Minimal wind. For a marathoner, that’s basically a spa day. This "perfect" weather is likely why we saw such aggressive times. Usually, the humidity or the wind off the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge slows the leaders down, but not this time.
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Also, can we talk about Eliud Kipchoge?
The GOAT finally showed up to New York. Most people expected him to contend for the win, but he ended up 17th with a 2:14:36. It was a reminder that New York is a different beast. It doesn't care about your world records or your Nike-funded sub-two-hour projects. If you don't respect the bridges, they will break you.
Even so, seeing Kipchoge cross the finish line to earn his Six Star Medal was a moment that transcended the actual podium.
The Americans Are Actually Showing Up
For years, the "winner of the New York City Marathon" conversation has been dominated by East African powerhouses. That hasn't changed at the very top, but the American depth is getting scary.
Joel Reichow was the top American man, finishing 6th in 2:09:56. That’s a massive statement.
On the women’s side, Fiona O’Keeffe took 4th place with a 2:22:49. That is the fastest time ever by an American woman on the New York course. We are seeing a shift where "just finishing top ten" isn't the goal anymore. These runners are actually hunting the podium.
The Real Winners: The "Back of the Pack" Stories
You’ve got the elites, and then you’ve got the people who actually make New York what it is.
Ali Truwit, who lost her leg in a shark attack just a year ago, finished in 4:14:34. Think about that. Most people can't run a 4-hour marathon with two biological legs, and she’s out here crushing it after a traumatic amputation.
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Then there’s 91-year-old Koichi Kitabatake from Japan. He finished in 7:25:13. He was the oldest finisher of the race. While the winner of the New York City Marathon gets the trophy, guys like Koichi get the respect of every single person standing on First Avenue.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Marathon
If watching Kipruto and Obiri inspired you to actually sign up for this thing, don't just wing it. New York is a "tactical" race, meaning you can't just run by your watch.
1. Respect the first mile. The Verrazzano Bridge is the highest point of the race. If you sprint up it because of the adrenaline, your legs will be dead by mile 15.
2. Train for the "Park Rollers." The final three miles in Central Park are not flat. They are short, punchy hills. If you’ve only trained on a flat treadmill, these will destroy your quads.
3. The Queensboro Bridge is a "silent killer." There are no spectators on the bridge. It’s just you and the sound of breathing. It is mentally the hardest part of the race. Prepare for the silence.
4. Fuel early. Kipruto and Obiri were taking gels and fluids at almost every station. Don't wait until you're thirsty; by then, the "bonk" is already starting.
The 2025 race proved that the "standard" way of running New York—slow and steady—is being replaced by a high-octane, aggressive style of racing. Whether you’re an elite chasing a 0.03-second victory or a first-timer just hoping to see the finish line before the sun goes down, the lesson is the same: New York rewards the brave, but it punishes the reckless.
Plan your training around elevation, not just distance. Focus on "negative splits" where you run the second half of your long runs faster than the first. That is exactly how Hellen Obiri became the greatest to ever do it on the streets of the five boroughs.