Hellen Obiri: Millions She Pocketed After Smashing 22-Year-Old Record at New York City Marathon

Hellen Obiri cemented her status as one of the world's distance running elite with a stunning performance at the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon.

Not only did the two-time Boston Marathon champion claim her second NYC title, following her 2023 win, but she also achieved a feat that had eluded the fastest marathoners for over two decades.

Hellen Obiri smashed the women's course record, transforming her victory into a spectacular multi-million payday.

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The Olympic marathon bronze medallist crossed the finish line in Central Park with a blistering time of 2:19:51 to obliterate the previous record of 2:22:31, set by her compatriot Margaret Okayo all the way back in 2003.

Hellen Obiri's total earnings from the single race soared into the millions of Kenyan Shillings (Ksh) and six figures in US Dollars, thanks to the combined spoils of the winner's purse and the course record bonus.

The top finisher in the Open Division receives a hefty sum. For her overall victory, Hellen Obiri pocketed $100,000, which is KSh 12.9 million.

The true multiplier for Hellen Obiri was the incentive for setting a new course record. This extraordinary achievement earned her an additional $50,000 bonus, KSh 6.4 million.

This meant Hellen Obiri secured a total of $150,000, Ksh 19.4 million in prize money and bonus alone. This golden haul easily made her the day's highest earner, illustrating the financial incentives that come with rewriting the history books at a World Marathon Major.

The race itself was a thrilling showdown among previous champions, highlighting the difficulty of the New York course.

Hellen Obiri ran shoulder-to-shoulder with her compatriots Sharon Lokedi (the 2022 winner) and Sheila Chepkirui (the 2024 winner) for much of the distance.

It was only in the final miles, with an incredible late surge through Central Park, that Hellen Obiri broke away decisively, securing the win and the record.

Sharon Lokedi (2:20:07), who won the Boston Marathon earlier this year and reigning Nagoya Marathon champion, Sheila Chepkirui (2:20:24) also impressively finished under the old course record, coming in second and third respectively.

By finally breaking Margaret Okayo's long-standing mark, Hellen Obiri has stamped her name indelibly on the history of the New York City Marathon.