Hellen Obiri Wins NYC Marathon, Breaks Women’s Course Record
Hellen Obiri of Kenya triumphed at the TCS New York City Marathon, shattering the women’s course record. She finished the demanding race in 2:19:51, surpassing the previous record of 2:22:31 held by Margaret Okayo since 2003. Obiri’s remarkable performance highlighted Kenya’s dominance in recent years.
Race Highlights
Obiri’s victory marked the seventh consecutive win for Kenyan women in the NYC Marathon, excluding the 2020 cancellation due to the pandemic. Sharon Lokedi, the 2022 champion, secured second place, finishing just 16 seconds behind Obiri. Sheila Chepkirui, the defending champion, claimed third, trailing by nearly 34 seconds.
During the race, a tight competition unfolded. The lead group, which included American runner Fiona O’Keeffe, maintained a strong pace for the first 15 miles. However, O’Keeffe ultimately finished fourth after struggling in the later stages of the race. Sifan Hassan, a marathon gold medalist, made her NYC debut, finishing sixth.
Wheelchair Division
The wheelchair race showcased the impressive skills of Marcel Hug, who won his seventh title at this event. Known as “The Silver Bullet,” Hug reclaimed his position after a disappointing finish last year. He completed the marathon with a time of 1:30:16, although he missed breaking his own course record set in 2022.
- Marcel Hug: 1:30:16 (7th NYC Marathon title)
- David Weir: Second place, nearly four minutes behind Hug
- Tomoki Suzuki: Third place with a time of 1:36:28
Susan Scaroni, having won in 2022 and 2024, dominated the women’s wheelchair race. She finished in 1:42:10, well ahead of her competitors, including Tatyana McFadden and Catherine Debrunner, who placed second and third respectively.
Participation and Statistics
- 4:31:31: Average finishing time for all participants in 2024
- 137: Countries represented
- 55,642: Total finishers, setting a new NYC Marathon record
- 50,000: Servings of coffee provided
- 6,000: Servings of hot tea/hot chocolate
Various celebrity participants added excitement to the event, including:
- Alex Cora, Boston Red Sox manager
- Anthony Ramos, actor from “Hamilton”
- Patina Miller, Tony Award-winning actress
- Tayshia Adams, television host
The event not only showcased elite athleticism but also a spirit of community. Over 43,000 bagels were available, along with therapy dogs supporting the runners at the start line.
Hellen Obiri’s historic win at the NYC Marathon underscores the depth of talent within Kenyan long-distance running, promising more thrilling races in the future.
