Millions Up for Grabs as Eliud Kipchoge and Hellen Obiri Target Glory at the 2025 New York City Marathon

Eliud Kipchoge and Hellen Obiri headline a star-studded lineup of elite athletes chasing both victory and a share of the enormous prize pool at this year’s New York City Marathon.

For Kipchoge, this race marks his long-awaited debut on New York’s challenging course, while Obiri returns determined to reclaim the title she once held. Yet, beyond pride and prestige, there’s a major financial incentive driving them and thousands of other runners taking part in the event.

The 2025 New York City Marathon offers one of the biggest payouts in the running world, with total prize money surpassing $800,000, which is over KSh 103 million,  distributed across several divisions.

Open Division: Big Money for Top Finishers

The largest chunk of this prize fund is reserved for the men’s and women’s Open Divisions, which reward the top 10 professional runners. Both champions will take home a staggering $100,000 each, cementing the marathon’s reputation as one of the richest road races worldwide.

Runners finishing second and third will earn $60,000 and $40,000, respectively. Those placing fourth, fifth, and sixth will collect $25,000, $15,000, and $10,000. Meanwhile, the seventh-, eighth-, and ninth-place finishers will receive $7,500, $5,000, and $2,500, with the 10th-place runner claiming $2,000.

Bonuses and Other Competitive Divisions

Athletes aiming to break records also have more to strive for, including a $50,000 course record bonus that awaits any man or woman who sets a new event best.

The Professional Wheelchair Division has its own lucrative rewards, with champions typically pocketing between $25,000 and $35,000 each. The total prize fund for this category exceeds $150,000, with additional bonuses available for record-breaking performances.

In the USA Division, the highest-placing American man and woman each earn $25,000, recognizing top domestic talent. The Masters Division, designed for runners aged 40 and above, also offers rewards, with winners often securing about $3,000 for their age-group victories.

Star Power and Extra Earnings

While the official prize pool is impressive, the actual payouts for elite runners often go far beyond. For world-class athletes like Eliud Kipchoge, appearance fees, payments made simply for competing, can rival or even surpass the first-place prize.

As the 2025 New York City Marathon approaches, all eyes will be on these elite contenders. With glory, history, and millions on the line, this year’s race promises to be one of the most thrilling editions yet.