The TCS New York City Marathon is more than a race; it is a spectacle. On the first Sunday of November, the city's five boroughs transform into the world's largest running stadium. This year, on November 2, 2025, the event welcomes one of the most star-studded fields in its history . The air is thick with anticipation, not just for the competition, but for the historic narratives that will unfold over the iconic 26.2-mile course.
The main story is the long-awaited New York City debut of two living legends: Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan . For Kipchoge, widely regarded as the greatest marathoner of all time, this is the final piece of the puzzle. It is the only World Marathon Major he has yet to conquer, and a finish will earn him the coveted Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Medal . The stage is set for a day of pure drama.
Eliud Kipchoge's arrival in New York feels like a coronation. With two Olympic gold medals and 11 World Major marathon titles to his name, his legacy is already secure. Yet, the challenging streets of New York have always been a missing chapter in his storied career. "I want to experience, I want to go through it," Kipchoge told reporters. "I want to actually see the two million people who are lining up around the course" .
He faces immense competition. His age-old rival, Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele, is also on the start line. This will be their 25th meeting, a rivalry that has spanned over two decades, from the track to the roads. They are no longer just competing against each other, but against time itself, with Kipchoge at 41 and Bekele at 43. Adding to the challenge is the defending champion, Abdi Nageeye, and a host of hungry contenders like Olympic bronze medalist Benson Kipruto and London Marathon champion Alexander Mutiso. For Kipchoge, it is a final test against the world's best on one of its toughest courses.
The women's race is equally compelling, headlined by the phenomenal Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands. A threat across any distance, Hassan is the fastest woman ever to line up in New York, with a personal best of 2:13:44. She arrives fresh off a record-setting victory at the Sydney Marathon just nine weeks ago. Her aggressive racing style and incredible speed make her the athlete to beat.
However, Hassan has never faced the unique, grueling rhythm of the New York course. Waiting for her are the three most recent champions, all of whom know exactly how to win here. Sheila Chepkirui (2024), Hellen Obiri (2023), and Sharon Lokedi (2022) are all in the field. The last time these four women raced was at the Paris Olympic Marathon, where Hassan claimed gold and Obiri bronze. New York offers a chance for redemption and a fierce battle for supremacy.
Unlike the flat, fast courses of Berlin or Chicago, the New York City Marathon is an altogether different beast. It is a race known for humbling favorites and shattering meticulously crafted plans. The course features five bridges and an undulating finale through Central Park, making it a brutal test of strength and strategy.
An air of unpredictability lingers over the five boroughs. World records are not the goal here; pure victory is. The course demands respect and rewards tactical intelligence and mental fortitude above all else. This makes it the perfect setting for a showdown between raw speed and experienced course knowledge.
You will not want to miss a moment of this historic race. Here is how you can tune in from anywhere in the world.
Viewing Method
Details
National TV (USA)
ESPN2 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET
Local TV (NYC)
WABC-TV, Channel 7 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET
Spanish Broadcast
ESPN3 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET
Streaming
ESPN App, ABC 7 New York App, or ABC7NY.com
International
Viewers can watch via global partners like TSN (Canada), Eurosport (Europe), and Fox Sports (Australia).
For those in New York, the best spectating locations include Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn (Miles 2-4), First Avenue in Manhattan (Miles 16-18), and the crucial stretch on Fifth Avenue before the finish in Central Park (Miles 23-24).
The 2025 New York City Marathon is more than just a race for a title. For Eliud Kipchoge, it is about completing a journey and cementing his legacy by conquering the one major that has eluded him. For Sifan Hassan, it is an audacious attempt to overpower a field of champions on their most familiar terrain.
The outcomes are wonderfully uncertain. Will Kipchoge's legendary consistency triumph over New York's chaos? Can Hassan's stunning speed overcome the tactical wisdom of Obiri, Lokedi, and Chepkirui? One thing is sure: as 50,000 runners flow through the city's streets, all eyes will be on the legends at the front, writing a new, unforgettable chapter in marathon history
