Hellen Obiri Shatters Course Record to Win 2025 New York City Marathon in 2:19:51

Kenya’s Hellen Obiri delivered a masterful performance at the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 2, smashing the long-standing course record with a stunning time of 2:19:51. The two-time world champion led a Kenyan podium sweep, followed by Sharon Lokedi (2:20:07) and Sheila Chepkirui (2:20:24), rewriting history on the streets of the Big Apple.

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The Race Unfolds

Obiri took early control, leading through 5 km in 17:05 with the elite pack closely trailing. By 10 km, she and defending champion Chepkirui were running shoulder to shoulder, splitting 33:53, as American Molly Seidel began to drift slightly behind in her marathon comeback.

Through 15 km, Chepkirui continued to set the rhythm, clocking 50:52, with all the major contenders still in contention. Veteran Sara Hall had fallen just off the lead group, trailing by 12 seconds.

At the halfway mark, Chepkirui led a powerful quartet—including Obiri, Lokedi, and American Fiona O’Keeffe—through in 1:11:01, on pace to challenge Margaret Okayo’s 2003 course record of 2:22:31. Olympic champion Sifan Hassan remained within striking range a few meters back.

Obiri Breaks Away

By 25 km, the leading four had become clear: Obiri, Chepkirui, Lokedi, and O’Keeffe. Obiri split 1:23:59, showing her trademark smooth efficiency as the race began to tighten. At 35 km, the trio of Obiri, Lokedi, and Chepkirui were still together, clocking 1:56:48, maintaining a blistering 5:18-per-mile pace. O’Keeffe remained 38 seconds adrift, with Hassan over a minute behind.

The decisive move came after 40 km when Obiri and Lokedi surged, dropping Chepkirui with a 5:05-mile split. In the final stretch through Central Park, Obiri found another gear, pulling clear of Lokedi to secure her second consecutive New York title and set a new course record of 2:19:51.

“It was amazing, it was a very good run for me. We had a very strong field and I said to myself ‘let me try to do my best’. In my mind I said to myself to be patient. I knew Sharon was there and she has won New York Marathon before”, said Obiri.

American Highlight

Fiona O’Keeffe capped a strong performance, finishing fourth in 2:22:49, the top American finisher. Annie Frisbie placed fifth after overtaking Sifan Hassan in the final miles.

With her record-breaking run, Obiri not only defended her title but also became the first woman to dip under 2:20 on the challenging New York City course—a defining moment in marathon history.

Women Leading Results: