Hellen Obiri and Benson Kipruto led a Kenyan clean sweep of the men's and women's podium places at the New York City Marathon on Sunday.
In the women’s race, Obiri led Sharon Lokedi and Sheila Chepkirui to a 1-2-3 finish, winning the race in a course record time of two hours 19 minutes and 51 seconds.
Kenya's Hellen Obiri (cntre) celebrates after winning the women's elite race alongside second-placed Sharon Lokedi (left) and third-placed Sheila Chepkirui on November 2, 2025.
Photo credit: Reuters
Lokedi finished second in 2:20:07, while last year’s winner Chepkirui (2:20:24) was third.
In the men’s race, there was late drama as Kipruto beat compatriot Alexander Mutiso in a photo-finish to claim his maiden New York City Marathon title.
Kenya's Benson Kipruto (left) crosses the line ahead of fellow countryman Alexander Mutiso in the men's elite race at New York City Marathon on November 2, 2025.
Photo credit: Reuters
Kipruto, the 2024 Tokyo Marathon champion and Mutiso, who is the 2024 London Marathon champion, ran shoulder-to-shoulder in the last two kilometres of the race to return an identical time of two hours, 08 minutes and 09 seconds.
Like in the women’s race, it was a clean sweep of the podium places by Kenyan men as Albert Korir, who won on the course in 2021 and finished second in 2019 and 2023, came third in 2:08:57.
Kenya's Benson Kipruto (left) celebrates after winning the men's elite race at New York City Marathon with second-placed Alexander Mutiso on November 2, 2025.
Photo credit: Reuters
It was the fourth major title for Obiri and her second in New York after she previously won in 2023.
Obiri, who lost the title last year to Sheila Chepkirui, obliterated the 22-year-old standing course record of 2:22:31 set by Margaret Okayo in 2003.
For her win, Obiri collected a purse money of Sh19.36 million made up of Sh12.3 million for the victory, and Sh6.46m bonus for the course record. Lokedi earned Sh7.75 million, while Chepkirui took home Sh5.168m.
Kenya's Hellen Obiri crosses the line to win the women's elite race at the New York City Marathon on November 2, 2025.
Photo credit: Reuters
In the men’s race, marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge achieved his dream of participating and finishing in all the seven World Marathon Majors races with a 17th place finish in 2:14:36.
Five athletes cleared the first 15km in 46:01, including Kenyan-born American Hillary Bor, Kipruto, Abel Kipchumba and Korir as Mutiso and Kipchoge fell a second behind.
Kenyans Benson Kipruto (left) and Eliud Kipchoge (centre) compete in men's elite race at the New York City Marathon on November 2, 2025.
Photo credit: Reuters
Interestingly, Japanese Yudai Fukuda led the pack of 20 athletes, including Kipchoge, Kipruto, past the halfway mark in 1:05:18.
Bor sprinted away from the pack for a two-second lead at 25km in 1:17:53 with Mutiso, Korir, Kipchumba, Kipruto and Kipchoge in tow. Bekele was lying 23rd, 30 seconds off the pace.
Kenya's Benson Kipruto (centre) celebrates after winning the men's elite race at New York City Marathon alongside second-placed Kenya's Alexander Mutiso and third-placed Albert Korir on November 2, 2025.
Bor led by two seconds when he cruised through 25km in 1:17:53 as Mutiso, Korir, Kipchumba and Kipruto followed. Kipchoge was placed seventh, a second behind the pack of six athletes.
Seven athletes led by Korir and Kipruto hit the 30km mark 1:32:21 and 35km in 1:47:37 before Kipruto and Mutiso broke from the pack for a thrilling finish.
Kipruto collected the winning purse of Sh12.3 million, Mutiso, who finished third at the London Marathon in April earned Sh7.75 million, while Korir pocketed Sh5.168million.
