Two-time Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri delivered a masterclass performance at the 54th edition of the New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 2, 2025, reclaiming her women’s title.
The Kenyan star clocked 2:19:51, shattering the long-standing course record of 2:22:31 set by Margaret Okayo in 2003.
Women’s Elite Results – New York City Marathon 2025:
- Hellen Obiri (KEN) — 2:19:51 CR
- Sharon Lokedi (KEN) — 2:20:07
- Sheila Chepkirui (KEN) — 2:20:24
- Fiona O’Keeffe (USA) — 2:22:49
- Annie Frisbie (USA) — 2:24:12
- Sifan Hassan (NED) — 2:24:43
- Jessica Warner-Judd (GBR) — 2:24:45
- Emily Sisson (USA) — 2:25:05
- Amanda Vestri (USA) — 2:25:40
- Fionnuala McCormack (IRL) — 2:27:00
Obiri, who also won the race in 2023, surged past compatriots Sharon Lokedi and Sheila Chepkirui in the final stretch through Central Park to seal her second New York City triumph. Lokedi, the 2022 winner, finished second in 2:20:07, while Chepkirui, last year’s champion, claimed third in 2:20:24.
The result extended Kenya’s dominance in the women’s elite category, marking the seventh consecutive Kenyan victory at the NYC Marathon, excluding 2020 when the race was canceled due to the pandemic.
The women’s race was a fierce contest from start to finish, with Obiri, Lokedi, and Chepkirui, the three most recent NYC champions, pushing each other through the hilly course. Early on, the trio ran alongside American Fiona O’Keeffe, who eventually faded to fourth place. By the 35km mark, the Kenyan trio had broken away, setting up a dramatic finish.
At the 37km point, Chepkirui dropped back, leaving Obiri and Lokedi to battle it out, a repeat of their duel from the Boston Marathon earlier this year. Obiri’s trademark kick in the final stretch proved decisive, as she powered past Lokedi to clinch victory and etch her name into history with a new course record.
For Obiri, this win cements her status as one of the most consistent marathoners in recent years, with victories in both Boston and New York now under her belt. It was also a proud moment for Kenya, once again demonstrating its unmatched strength and depth in women’s long-distance running.
