Hellen Obiri claimed victory and set a new course record at the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, powering through the final miles in Central Park to win in 2:19:51. Sharon Lokedi finished second in 2:20:07, while Sheila Chepkirui completed the podium in 2:20:24.
This year’s women’s race was among the most anticipated in recent memory, headlined by the New York debut of Sifan Hassan, the Dutch Olympic marathon champion and one of the sport’s most versatile distance runners.
Fresh off a commanding victory at the Sydney Marathon just two months ago, Hassan entered New York chasing her fifth win in seven career marathons, a remarkable record for an athlete who only debuted at the distance in 2023.
Her main challengers were a formidable group of past New York champions.
Hellen Obiri, the 2023 winner and reigning Olympic bronze medalist, returned after finishing runner-up last year, while Sheila Chepkirui, the 2024 champion, sought to defend her title. Sharon Lokedi, who broke through to win in 2022 and added a Boston Marathon title earlier this year, rounded out a dominant Kenyan trio that has defined the race in recent years.
Ethiopia’s Gotytom Gebreslase, the 2022 world champion, joined the field with her sights on reclaiming major-winning form, while Eilish McColgan of Great Britain and Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal of Norway added depth to an already loaded international lineup.
A Historic Day in the Women’s Race
Hellen Obiri delivered one of the greatest performances in New York City Marathon history, setting a new course record of 2:19:51 to win her second consecutive title. The 34-year-old Kenyan broke away from 2022 winner Sharon Lokedi in the final mile, bettering the long-standing course record of 2:22:31 set by Margaret Okayo in 2003.
Obiri, Lokedi, and 2024 champion Sheila Chepkirui, the three most recent NYC winners, ran together through much of the final third of the race, pulling clear of the field by the time they reached the Bronx. It was the first time all three had raced together in New York, and they delivered: all three ran under the previous course record, marking one of the fastest editions in race history.
The top American finisher was Fiona O’Keeffe, who placed fourth after staying with the leaders deep into the race. It was a major statement for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials winner, who returned to racing this fall following injury. She was followed by Annie Frisbie in fifth, while Sifan Hassan, coming off a win at the Sydney Marathon, faded late and finished sixth.
Four of the top nine finishers were American, a promising sign of depth as the U.S. women look ahead to Paris and beyond.
With Obiri’s win, Kenyan women swept the podium in New York for the second consecutive year, underlining the country’s dominance on hilly championship-style courses. The result adds another major victory to Obiri’s growing marathon résumé and reaffirms her position as one of the most versatile distance runners in the world.
Top 3 Results – 2025 NYC Marathon, Women’s Division
- Hellen Obiri – 2:19:51
- Sharon Lokedi – 2:20:07
- Sheila Chepkirui – 2:20:24
Top American finisher: Fiona O’Keefe, 4th, 2:22:49
