In a thrilling photo finish, Benson Kipruto won the men’s title in 2:08:09, outlasting a late surge from runner-up Alexander Mutiso at the New York City Marathon.
On Sunday, November 2, the four-time World Marathon Major champion averaged 4:53 mile pace through the five boroughs, beating Mutiso by three-hundredths of a second in Central Park. Following a third-place finish last year, Albert Korir placed third again in 2:08:57.
From the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the lead pack started pretty tightly packed at a conservative pace through the first 5K with most covering the split between 15:11 and 15:14, on track for a 2:08:15 finish. Running together, the primary contenders, including Eliud Kipchoge, Korir, Kipruto, and Mutiso, were biding their time on a technical course to strike later in the race.
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In his marathon debut, Hillary Bor made his presence known early on, running shoulder-to-shoulder with veterans Kipruto and Kipchoge at the front, as the group made their way from Staten Island into Brooklyn.
After yo-yoing ahead of the lead pack for much of the first half, Yudai Fukuda of Japan brought the elite men through the first 13.1 in 1:05:18, on track for a 2:10:36 finish. Still running at a conservative pace, 21 athletes remained well within the top group when they hit the Greenpoint area.
On the Queensboro Bridge, about 15 miles into the race, Bor began to pull ahead, causing a sudden separation within the pack. Eight athletes responded to the move, including Korir, Mutiso, and Kipruto, eventually catching the former steeplechaser on First Avenue. Kipchoge led the chase pack a few seconds behind them.
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For the next five miles, Korir, Bor, and Abel Kipchumba attempted to break away at different times, but the group remained intact for the most part through mile 20. Korir, the 2021 winner and bronze medalist in 2024, tapped into his experience on the course, while Kipchumba channeled the same leader mentality that won him the NYC Half in March. Running boldly in his first 26.2, Bor looked comfortable among seasoned marathon standouts as they closed in on Central Park.
Days after telling the media he wanted to complete a sweep of the U.S. World Marathon Majors, Kipruto looked strong within the pack making its way through Manhattan. Since 2021, the Kenyan runner has earned six podium finishes in the global series, including victories at the Tokyo (2024), Boston (2021) and Chicago marathons (2022).
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At mile 22, the top group whittled down to four. With three miles remaining, Kipruto and Mutiso made a big push ahead on the Upper East Side. Heading downhill in the park, Kipruto was just a few steps ahead of Mutiso. Seven months after placing third at the London Marathon, Mutiso continued to battle against Kipruto’s surges as the rivals neared the finish line.
In the last mile, the athletes were shoulder-to-shoulder until the final turn back into the park where Kipruto pulled ahead. But Mutiso continued to fight back, nearly passing Kipruto into the finish line with a massive kick. Less than two-tenths of a second separated the finishers, making it the closest finish in the race’s history.
Kipruto won $100,000 for the victory. Mutiso earned $60,000 for finishing runner-up, and Korir took home $40,000 for placing third overall.
As the first American across the finish line, Joel Reichow finished sixth overall in 2:09:56 and won $25,000 in the U.S. division. In his marathon debut, fellow American Charles Hicks placed seventh in 2:09:59, earning $15,000. Also running his debut, Joe Klecker finished 10th in 2:10:37 and will take home $10,000.
Kipchoge finished 17th in 2:14:36. The former world record-holder completed his goal of finishing all seven World Marathon Majors after running the London and Sydney marathons earlier this year. Before the race, the two-time Olympic medalist, who turns 41 in three days, hinted that New York City could be his last World Marathon Major.
Taylor Dutch is a writer and editor living in Austin, Texas, and a former NCAA track athlete who specializes in fitness, wellness, and endurance sports coverage. Her work has appeared in Runner’s World, SELF, Bicycling, Outside, and Podium Runner.
