The New York City Marathon is a beast unlike any other. It’s not a flat, time-trial course built for world records; it’s a grueling, tactical war waged over five iconic bridges and through the wildly diverse neighborhoods of Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan. The roar of two million spectators lining the streets creates an electric coliseum, a soundscape that can either propel a runner to greatness or swallow them whole. It’s on this legendary pavement that the final, dramatic act of the 2025 marathon season will unfold, with storylines so rich they feel torn from a Hollywood script. At the center of it all are two athletes who have redefined the limits of possibility, both making their much-anticipated New York debuts.

The King’s Final Conquest: Kipchoge’s Quest for the Six Star Crown

For years, the running world has wondered when, or if, the greatest marathoner of all time would test his mettle against the hills and bridges of New York. Now, at 40 years old, Eliud Kipchoge is finally here. His arrival is not merely an appearance; it is the culmination of a historic journey. The two-time Olympic champion and the only human to break the two-hour marathon barrier (in an unofficial setting) is on a mission to complete the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a grand slam of running that includes the marathons of Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York. By crossing the finish line in Central Park, he will earn the coveted Six Star medal, cementing a legacy that is already unparalleled.

A Legacy on the Line

Kipchoge’s entire career has been a testament to his mantra, “No Human Is Limited.” He has conquered the flat, lightning-fast courses of Berlin and the historic, rolling hills of Boston. But New York presents a unique challenge—a rhythm-breaking, strength-sapping course that rewards tactical savvy as much as raw speed. For Kipchoge, this race is about more than just another victory. It’s a chance to prove his mastery over every type of terrain, to silence any lingering questions about his versatility, and to add the most famous marathon finish line to his collection.

“To run in New York is to run with the history of the sport,” a sentiment often echoed by marathon legends. For Kipchoge, it represents the final, crucial chapter in his major marathon storybook. He has faced down every challenge, but the relentless inclines of the Queensboro Bridge and the long, punishing grind up Fifth Avenue in the race’s dying stages are new adversaries. His performance here will be a defining moment, a testament to his enduring greatness in the twilight of an extraordinary career. A win would be poetic; simply finishing will be historic.

The Gauntlet of Champions

Kipchoge will not have the luxury of a ceremonial jog through the five boroughs. The men’s elite field assembled to greet him is a veritable murderer’s row of marathon talent, a group of athletes who know these streets intimately. Leading the charge is the formidable Dutch champion Abdi Nageeye, the defending champion whose tactical brilliance is perfectly suited for New York’s demanding course. He will be joined by a fearsome Kenyan contingent, including Evans Chebet, a two-time winner of both the Boston and New York City Marathons, and Albert Korir, another former NYC champion who knows exactly when to make a move.

Adding another layer of intrigue is the late entry of Kenenisa Bekele, Kipchoge’s legendary track rival from Ethiopia. Their duels over 5,000 and 10,000 meters defined an era, and seeing these two titans clash once more on the marathon course is a dream matchup for fans. Furthermore, Benson Kipruto, the 2024 Olympic bronze medallist and a past winner in Boston and Chicago, brings his own championship pedigree to the start line on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. This isn’t just a race; it’s a tactical battlefield where Kipchoge’s quest for history will be tested by a field of champions, each hungry to write their own New York story.

The Unstoppable Force: Hassan’s Bid for Five-Borough Supremacy

If Eliud Kipchoge represents serene, methodical dominance, then Sifan Hassan is the embodiment of chaotic, breathtaking brilliance. The Dutch superstar has torn up the rulebook on athletic specialization. She is an Olympic champion on the track at distances from 1500 meters to 10,000 meters, and in a remarkably short time, she has translated that ferocious competitive fire to the marathon, winning in London, Chicago, and, most recently, claiming the coveted Olympic marathon gold in Paris. Now, she turns her attention to New York, the one major that is arguably the truest test of a marathoner’s strength and will.

From Track Dominance to Marathon Royalty

Hassan’s approach to racing is famously unconventional. She often runs from the back of the pack, makes audacious mid-race surges, and seems to thrive on pushing her body to its absolute breaking point. Her marathon debut in London 2023 is already the stuff of legend, where she stopped twice to stretch, appeared to be out of the race, yet roared back to win in a dramatic sprint finish. Her victory at the Paris 2024 Olympics confirmed her status as the new queen of the distance, a racer who combines world-class speed with an iron will. She has proven she can win on fast courses, but New York will be the ultimate examination of her strength. A runner who has made a career of unpredictable moves, Hassan is perfectly matched for a course that demands adaptability and grit. As one commentator noted, “With Sifan, you don’t just watch the race; you witness an event. You never know what’s going to happen, except that it will be spectacular.”

A Reign Under Siege

Hassan’s path to victory is blocked by a trio of Kenyan women who have a combined ownership of the New York City Marathon in recent years. Hellen Obiri, the silver medalist from the 2023 race and the reigning Boston Marathon champion, pushed Hassan to the limit in Paris, earning bronze. She possesses a fierce finishing kick and knows this course well. She is joined by Sharon Lokedi, the surprise 2022 NYC champion, whose stunning victory proved that on these streets, a fearless debutant can topple the giants. Rounding out this formidable group is Sheila Chepkirui, the 2024 champion, who will be determined to defend her title against the Olympic gold medalist.

This Kenyan trifecta represents the biggest threat to Hassan’s burgeoning marathon dynasty. They have the experience, the strength, and the tactical knowledge to exploit any weakness. Adding to the competitive fire will be the American crowd favorite, Emily Sisson. As one of the top American marathoners, Sisson will be buoyed by the thunderous home-country support, hoping to channel that energy into a podium finish and disrupt the international power struggle at the front. The women’s race promises to be a captivating chess match played out at a blistering pace across the city’s unforgiving asphalt.

More Than a Race: The Heartbeat of New York City

While the elite athletes chase records and glory, the true soul of the New York City Marathon is found in the massive river of humanity that follows in their wake. Over 50,000 runners from more than 150 countries will stand on the Staten Island side of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, a churning sea of nerves, excitement, and personal stories. For every professional athlete, there are a thousand amateur runners, each with a profound reason for running 26.2 miles.

The Sea of Humanity on the Verrazzano

As Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” blares from the speakers at the start, a cannon fires, and this incredible mass of people begins its journey. They are running for charity, often raising a collective total of over $40 million for hundreds of causes. They are running in memory of loved ones, to overcome personal demons, or simply to achieve something they once thought impossible. The course takes them through the vibrant, multicultural neighborhoods of Brooklyn, the quiet streets of Queens, a brief but brutal stretch in the Bronx, and finally into the roaring canyon of heroes on Manhattan’s First Avenue. Each borough has its own personality, its own sound, its own energy, and the runners feed off it, carried forward by the encouragement of millions of strangers.

The Rolling Thunder: Wheelchair Warriors Take on the Toughest Hills

Long before the elite runners begin, the day’s first heroes take to the course. The professional wheelchair division features some of the most powerful and courageous athletes in the world. Defending champions Daniel Romanchuk of the United States and Susannah Scaroni are back to defend their titles on a course that is particularly punishing for wheelchair racers. The steep climbs up the bridges require immense upper-body strength, while the descents demand fearless skill and precision to navigate at speeds exceeding 40 miles per hour. Their race is a display of pure power and tactical genius, a thrilling spectacle that sets the stage for the incredible day of competition to follow.

Your Front-Row Seat to Marathon Sunday: How to Watch the Spectacle Unfold

Whether you’re a die-hard athletics fan or a casual viewer drawn in by the human drama, catching the 2025 New York City Marathon is easier than ever. Broadcasters around the world will be carrying the event, ensuring you don’t miss a moment of the action, from the elite races to the inspiring finish of the final runner in Central Park.

Tuning In from the United States

In the United States, ESPN holds the exclusive rights for the professional races. Live coverage will be featured across its family of networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, and the streaming service ESPN+. This dedicated broadcast will provide in-depth analysis, on-course reporting, and expert commentary focused on the battle for the podium. For those who want to soak in the full atmosphere of the event, local broadcaster ABC will offer extensive coverage on its main channel and website, showcasing not only the elites but also the celebrity runners and the countless human-interest stories unfolding along the 26.2-mile route. If you’ve moved on from traditional cable, services like Sling TV or FuboTV offer packages that include ESPN, providing a flexible way to stream the race live.

Global Viewing Guide: From London to Sydney

International viewers have a wealth of options to join the excitement from New York. In the United Kingdom, TNT Sports will carry the broadcast, with streaming available via the Discovery+ Premium plan. Athletics fans in Canada can tune in through TSN, which will offer live coverage on its television channels and through its streaming app, TSN+. Down Under, Australian viewers can catch all the action on Kayo Sports or through Fox Sports via a Foxtel subscription. For many viewers in continental Europe, including Spain, Italy, and France, free-to-air channels will be broadcasting the marathon, making it widely accessible.

For international travelers or fans who find themselves outside their usual broadcast region on race day, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be a useful tool. A reputable VPN service allows you to securely connect to a server in your home country, granting you access to your regular streaming subscriptions as if you were sitting on your own couch. This ensures that no matter where you are in the world, you can have a front-row seat for one of the most thrilling days on the global sporting calendar.

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Source: https://www.techradar.com