The 2025 TCS New York City Marathon is shaping up to be one of the most talent-packed editions in race history. New York Road Runners announced today that defending champions Abdi Nageeye and Sheila Chepkirui will return to the five boroughs on November 2 to defend their titles.
They’ll be joined by a stacked field of former champions and Olympians, and a crop of first-time marathoners and rising American stars looking to make their mark on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
Nageeye, the Dutch national record holder and Tokyo Olympic silver medalist, returns after finally breaking through to win his first Abbott World Marathon Majors title last year.
He outkicked both Evans Chebet and Albert Korir, former NYC champions who are also returning, and enters 2025 with the confidence of someone who knows how to win on this course.
He’ll face one of the deepest men’s fields in years. Benson Kipruto, who owns the fastest personal best in the field at 2:02:16, is one of the most consistent marathoners on the planet.
The 2024 Tokyo champion has finished on the podium in his last six Majors, including wins in Boston, Chicago, and Tokyo. Also in the mix are 2024 London champion Alexander Mutiso and United Airlines NYC Half record-holder Abel Kipchumba.
Two American debutants are generating plenty of excitement. Hillary Bor, a two-time Olympic steeplechaser, has made a strong transition to the roads. He ran 59:44 at the NYC Half earlier this year, the fifth-fastest time ever by an American.
Joe Klecker, a 10,000-meter Olympian, also makes his marathon debut after running his first half-marathon in Houston this January. Add Alex Maier, the Düsseldorf Marathon winner and American 10-mile record holder, and this is the strongest U.S. men’s group in recent memory.
On the women’s side, Sheila Chepkirui returns to defend her title after leading a Kenyan sweep of the podium last year. That was the first time since 1978 a single country swept the NYC women’s podium. Chepkirui will be joined by Hellen Obiri, the 2023 champion, and Sharon Lokedi, who won in 2022.
It’s the first time since 2018 that all three of the most recent champions are racing together.
Vivian Cheruiyot, a four-time Olympian and World Champion, also returns after finishing third last year with a 2:25:21 at age 40, the second-fastest Masters time ever in NYC.
International contenders include Gotytom Gebreslase of Ethiopia, Eilish McColgan of Great Britain, Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal of Norway, and Fabienne Schlumpf of Switzerland.
The American women’s field is incredibly deep.
Fiona O’Keeffe, who won the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, will make her NYC debut.
She’ll race alongside Molly Seidel, the Tokyo bronze medalist and fastest American ever in New York, Emily Sisson, the American marathon record holder, and Susanna Sullivan, who will represent Team USA at the World Championships in September.
Also returning is Sara Vaughn, the top American finisher in NYC last year, and Amanda Vestri, making her marathon debut after winning the USATF 6K Championships.
With more than 55,000 runners expected and millions lining the streets, the NYC Marathon remains one of the biggest sporting events in the world. Last year’s race set a finishers record with 55,642 runners, and 2025 could go even bigger.
This year’s elite field feels like a passing of the torch. Legends are returning, yes, but the buzz is around the new names. With debutants like Bor, Klecker, and Vestri on the line, and proven champions aiming to defend or reclaim their crowns, the stage is set for another unforgettable Sunday in New York.
The 2025 NYC Marathon takes place on Sunday, November 2.
