ODM cheers as Obiri and Kipruto dominate 2025 New York Marathon
By Faith Lagat, November 3, 2025Kenya has erupted into cheers after athletes Hellen Obiri and Benson Kipruto claimed victories at the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 2, 2025, reinforcing the country’s global dominance in long-distance running.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party led the celebrations with a post reading: “Congratulations Hellen Obiri and Benson Kipruto for winning the New York Marathon 2025 races for women and men respectively,” highlighting a rare moment of national unity amid political divides.
Obiri shattered the women’s course record with a time of 2:19:51, breaking Margaret Okayo’s 22-year-old mark of 2:22:31 by nearly three minutes. She was followed by Sharon Lokedi (2:20:07) and Sheila Chepkirui (2:20:24), completing a historic 1-2-3 sweep of the women’s podium.
National pride and legacy
President William Ruto said, “We celebrate the historic triumph of our athletes at the New York City Marathon, where they achieved an exceptional clean sweep in both the men’s and women’s categories. This victory reflects the strength, discipline, and spirit of excellence that define our great nation. Congratulations Hellen Obiri for delivering a remarkable win with a course record… Well done Benson Kipruto for claiming victory in a photo finish… We salute you, champions, for flying the Kenyan flag high.”
PS Interior Raymond Omollo added, “Kenya celebrates an extraordinary milestone at the New York City Marathon, where our athletes dominated both the men’s and women’s races. Bravo to Hellen Obiri for a record-setting victory… Applause as well to Benson Kipruto for clinching a dramatic win… You have once again lifted our nation’s spirit and carried our flag with honour. Congratulations, Team Kenya!”
The Foreign Office of Kenya congratulated the athletes, stating, “Kenya proudly marks a historic clean sweep at the 2025 New York City Marathon! Hellen Obiri set a stunning new course record, joined on the women’s podium by Sharon Lokedi and Sheila Chepkirui. This remarkable success reflects Kenya’s strength, discipline, and spirit of excellence on the world stage.”
Photo-finish drama in men’s race
In the men’s marathon, Benson Kipruto narrowly edged out compatriot Alexander Mutiso in a photo finish, both recording 2:08:09, with victory decided by a mere 0.03 seconds.
Albert Korir finished third in 2:08:57, completing another Kenyan sweep. Olympics Kenya celebrated the achievement: “The 3 Musketeers? Make that 6 Kenyans just showed New York they did not go to play, sweeping BOTH the men’s and women’s podiums at the 2025 @nycmarathon! What an epic takeover. Congratulations #TeamKenya.”
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen praised the athletes: “It was a Kenyan affair in the 2025 New York Marathon. Incredible stuff! Hats off to Hellen Obiri, Sharon Lokedi, and Sheila Chepkirui for emerging first, second, and third in the women’s marathon race. A hearty congratulations to Benson Kipruto, Alexander Mutiso, and Albert Korir for the 1,2,3 clean sweep in the men’s race. Hongera sana.”
Kipruto became the first man to sweep Boston, Chicago, and New York marathons, while Obiri’s sub-2:20 finish solidified her legacy. Even Eliud Kipchoge, finishing 17th in 2:14:36, completed his Seven Star milestone, rounding off a triumphant day for Kenya.