Abdi Nageeye and Sheila Chepkirui are locked in to defend their titles and are among a loaded men’s and women’s elite field that were announced on Tuesday for the 2025 New York City Marathon.
The total field includes a mix of nine former champions, runners making their marathon debuts along with big names hoping to be in line for a win in the last major of the year.
Next to Nageeye, the men’s race will also get a jolt of power as Albert Korir, Evans Chebet, Benson Kipruto, Deresa Geleta and Alexander Mutiso round out part of the field that all have the ability to cross the line first on November 2.
“Winning my first Abbott World Marathon Majors title in New York last year was a dream come true,” Nageeye said in a statement. “Looking forward to November, I feel even more motivated to defend my title. I know the course and am excited for the energy of the crowd to propel me from Staten Island to Central Park.”
Meanwhile, Hillary Bor and Joe Klecker have chosen the biggest stage, New York, to make their marathon debuts. Bor got a taste of the city — and Central Park — at the NYC Half in March and finished third, while Klecker’s build up this year has included Houston Half Marathon in January and USATF Half Marathon Championships in March in Atlanta.
In the women’s field, Hellen Obiri and Sharon Lokedi will bring another chapter of their epic battle from the Boston Marathon to New York in a showdown that is likely to be a factor in the late stages of the race. Lokedi surged in the closing moments to win Boston in April ahead of Obiri.
But Chepkirui has one mission and repeating as the winner in New York is a top prior after she led the Kenyan sweep in that included Obiri and Vivian Cheruiyot in 2024.
The women’s field gets an extra boost as Gotytom Gebreslase is part of a deep a lineup that also includes Fiona O’Keeffe, Molly Seidel, Emily Sisson and Susanna Sullivan.
“Breaking the tape at the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon was a defining moment in my career,” Chepkirui said in a statement. “After two successful trips to New York City last year, I look forward to returning and seeing what I can do.”
Both 2024 wheelchair division champions return as Daniel Romanchuk and Susannah Scaroni headline the men’s and women’s races.
“I love racing through the streets of New York City and there’s no better place to wrap up the year’s marathon majors,” said Romanchuk, who also won New York in 2018 and 2019. “I ran my first TCS New York City Marathon nine years ago, and it’s been incredible to see not only my growth, but the sport’s as well. I’m grateful for another opportunity to compete with the best in the world.”
David Weir, Marcel Hug and Jetze Plat all have experience in New York and are more than capable of keeping Romanchuk from the top podium spot.
Scaroni, on the other hand, won last year’s race in commanding fashion by over ten second and knows her deep knowledge of the city’s roads tip things in her favor.
“Sharing last year’s TCS New York City Marathon victory with Daniel was a career highlight,” said Scaroni. “Running the same course as tens of thousands of other athletes is so special and I cannot wait to feed off New York City’s energy, enthusiasm, and excitement once again.”
