The New York City Marathon is always more than just a race. It’s a stage, a theater of unpredictability where tactical racing, tough hills, and iconic backdrops elevate the drama as much as the runners themselves. With the release of the 2025 elite fields, the stage is set once again for storylines that stretch far beyond finish times.
Unlike Chicago, where time-trial specialists often flourish on its flat course, New York demands grit and savvy. It rewards athletes who know how to race — not just run fast. This year, the women’s field looks especially deep, anchored by a rivalry that should be appointment viewing for dyed-in-the-wool fans of distance running, while the men’s field promises legacy-building opportunities for veterans and the debut of a pair of intriguing American track runners.
Here are five takeaways from the 2025 New York City Marathon elite start lists.
1. Lokedi vs. Obiri: The Rivalry That Defines an Era
Few rivalries in distance running have carried as much sustained drama as Sharon Lokedi vs. Hellen Obiri. Over the past four years, they have traded victories and podium spots across Boston, New York, and the Olympics, producing thrilling battles decided in the final miles. Lokedi won New York in 2022, only to watch Obiri seize the crown the following year. In Boston, they’ve gone stride for stride, often with one denying the other a bigger stage.
The intrigue in 2025 is whether Lokedi, who most recently beat Obiri in Boston, has finally gained a psychological edge. She has looked increasingly confident in head-to-head races, while Obiri remains one of the fiercest competitors in the sport, capable of winning almost anywhere. Their duel embodies the championship-style racing that defines New York: no pacemakers, no easy rhythms, only grit and tactics.
Add defending champion Sheila Chepkirui into the mix, and the women’s race takes on a rare balance of legacy, rivalry, and unpredictability. The hope is that Lokedi and Obiri enter Central Park side by side, setting up another unforgettable sprint finish.
2. Can the Oldest Course Record Finally Fall?
New York’s course record — 2:22:31, set in 2003 by Margaret Okayo — is the oldest standing record among the World Marathon Majors. Despite the rise of super shoes and ever-deeper fields, no one has cracked it in over 20 years. That fact has almost become part of New York’s mythology: it’s a race built for racing, not record-chasing.
But the 2025 field suggests conditions may be ripe for change. Lokedi, Obiri, and Chepkirui all own personal bests in the 2:17–2:18 range, demonstrating the capacity to run several minutes faster than the course record. Even more tantalizing is the possibility that Emily Sisson, the American record holder, could help push the tempo.
Skeptics will note that New York rarely yields fast times. The bridges, the rolling terrain, and the lack of pacers often turn the race into a tactical chess match. Yet, at some point something’s got to give. If one contender takes it out aggressively — or if the aforementioned Lokedi-Obiri rivalry at the front forces an honest pace — the oldest record in the majors could finally fall.
3. The American Women’s Field Is as Deep as It Gets
For American fans, the women’s start list may be the most exciting in years. Headlining is Emily Sisson, finally making her New York debut. As the U.S. record holder and a proven tactician, Sisson has the tools to run with the leaders and even contend for a podium spot.
Behind her, the depth is striking. Sara Hall, still one of the fastest Americans ever, seeks redemption after a difficult Boston. Fiona O’Keeffe, the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials champion, returns with questions to answer after her controversial Olympic experience. Molly Seidel, the 2021 Olympic bronze medalist, makes her long-awaited comeback from injury, a compelling figure on and off the course. Add in Susanna Sullivan, Annie Frisbie, and Sarah Vaughn, and you have a race-within-the-race that could produce multiple PRs and career-defining breakthroughs.
While Sisson remains the clear favorite among Americans, the storyline is about more than one athlete. It’s about a generation of U.S. women testing themselves on the world’s biggest marathon stage — and possibly reshaping the American marathoning hierarchy.
4. The Men’s Race Is About Legacy — and the “Fourth Head” on the “Marathon Mount Rushmore”
On the men’s side, the conversation revolves around legacy. Eliud Kipchoge, Kenenisa Bekele, and the late Kelvin Kiptum are etched as the sport’s “untouchables.” But who belongs on the metaphorical fourth head of marathon Mount Rushmore?
Benson Kipruto has the strongest case. With wins in Boston, Chicago, and Tokyo, plus an Olympic bronze, he is hunting his first New York title. A victory here would give him four different major wins and a résumé that cements him as one of the all-time greats. Evans Chebet, meanwhile, already owns wins in Boston (twice) and New York, and while nearing 37, he remains a formidable force. Then there’s Abdi Nageeye, last year’s champion, whose tactical savvy and Olympic silver medal prove he thrives in championship-style racing.
Add Deresa Geleta and Alexander Mutiso Munyao, two of the fastest men in the world who are still building résumés, and the men’s field offers fewer fireworks than Chicago — but arguably more weight in terms of legacy. Whoever wins in New York doesn’t just take home a medal; they take a step closer to immortality.
5. A New Wave of American Men Makes Its Debut
While the men’s international stars dominate the headlines, the American contingent adds an element of intrigue. Most notably, Joe Klecker makes his marathon debut. Once touted as a half-marathon star to rival Conner Mantz, Klecker has had a difficult 2025. His recent results suggest struggles — but also raise the possibility that his training has been quietly focused on this very debut . With both parents being accomplished marathoners, the pressure and potential are immense.
Joining him is Hillary Bor, the 35-year-old steeplechase specialist making a late-career move to the marathon. His raw track pedigree makes him unpredictable but exciting. Reed Fischer adds proven depth, though his double-back from the World Championships just six weeks earlier will test his endurance.
The American men may not contend for the win, but they represent a new wave testing themselves on the world’s toughest stage. For U.S. fans, Klecker’s debut in particular will be must-watch: is he a long-term force at the marathon distance, or will his struggles continue?
The 2025 New York City Marathon elite fields offer two very different races. The women’s race feels like it could deliver an instant classic — with rivalries, records, and American contenders all converging on one stage. The men’s race is more about legacies, and potentially about who will carve their name alongside the greats.
Either way, New York promises what it always has: drama, unpredictability, and a reminder that in marathoning, it’s not just about how fast you run — it’s about how you race.
