The streets of New York are set to host a historic event as two of the biggest names in marathon running, Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan, make their New York City Marathon debut. 

This highly anticipated race, taking place in November 2025, will be a key moment for both athletes. 

For Kipchoge, the two-time Olympic gold medalist, it’s a chance to add the New York title to his long list of achievements as he aims to run all six major world marathons. 

For Hassan, the reigning Olympic champion, it’s an opportunity to continue her impressive run of victories in a new and challenging environment. 

Their participation guarantees a thrilling competition and a major moment for the sport of marathon running.

Eliud Kipchoge, a 40-year-old from Kenya, is widely considered the greatest marathoner of all time. 

He’s an Olympic champion from the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 games, making him one of only three men in history to win two Olympic marathon gold medals. 

His most notable unofficial achievement is being the first person to run a marathon in under two hours, clocking 1:59:40 at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in 2019. 

He also held the official world record with a time of 2:01:09 set in Berlin in 2022.

Sifan Hassan, a 32-year-old from the Netherlands, is a versatile and dominant force in distance running. 

She is the reigning Olympic marathon champion, winning gold in the Paris 2024 Games. 

Her impressive career includes multiple Olympic medals across different distances, and she holds the third-fastest time for a woman in an official marathon at 2:13:44, which she set at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

Kipchoge and Hassan won’t be the only elite runners in New York. 

The field is loaded with talent, including several past winners of the New York City Marathon. 

On the men’s side, Kipchoge will compete against defending champion Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands and two-time winner Evans Chebet of Kenya. 

The women’s race is equally competitive, featuring defending champion Sheila Chepkirui and past winners Hellen Obiri and Sharon Lokedi, both of Kenya. 

This concentration of top athletes sets the stage for a race filled with potential course records and close finishes.

The New York City Marathon is one of the seven Abbott World Marathon Majors. 

Kipchoge has already won four of the original majors (Berlin, London, Chicago, and Tokyo) and placed sixth in Boston. 

A victory in New York would leave only the Sydney Marathon to check off his list, further cementing his place in history. 

Hassan, with recent wins in London, Chicago, and Sydney, is also chasing the goal of winning all majors. 

Their presence will bring unprecedented attention to the race and its storied course, which is known for its challenging hills and bridges.