The 2024 New York City Marathon delivered thrilling performances and a monumental payday for winners Sheila Chepkirui and Abdi Nageeye, each pocketing a well-deserved $100,000 for their incredible efforts.
This year’s race saw these two champions rise to the occasion, showcasing grit, resilience, and unmatched skill to claim top spots in one of the world’s most prestigious marathons.
Sheila Chepkirui’s win in the 2024 New York City Marathon is a testament to her dedication and perseverance. Since her marathon debut in 2022 at the Valencia Marathon, Chepkirui has been a formidable contender, though a win in a major marathon had always eluded her—until now.
On Sunday, Chepkirui finally claimed her first major title, beating fierce competitors, including defending champion Hellen Obiri.
With a finishing time of 2:24:35, Chepkirui narrowly edged out Obiri, who crossed the line just seconds later in 2:24:49. This neck-and-neck battle captivated spectators and solidified Chepkirui’s status as a rising star in marathon running.
Her ability to hold off a seasoned marathoner like Obiri reflects her skill, mental strength, and strategic pacing.
Vivian Cheruiyot, another talented Kenyan runner, completed the all-Kenyan women’s podium by finishing third with a time of 2:25:21. The podium sweep by Kenyan women demonstrated their dominance on the world marathon stage, with Chepkirui leading the charge.
Abdi Nageeye’s Comeback Story: Redemption in New York
For Abdi Nageeye, the 2024 New York City Marathon victory marks a significant comeback. Earlier in the year, Nageeye faced disappointment at the Paris Olympic Games, where he couldn’t finish the race. However, he bounced back in New York, showing the world his resilience and skill by clinching the men’s title with a finishing time of 2:07:39.
Nageeye’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, especially given the pressure and the high level of New York City Marathon. Leading for much of the race, Evans Chebet ultimately couldn’t keep pace with Nageeye in the final stretch, finishing just six seconds behind at 2:07:45. Albert Korir took the third spot with a time of 2:08:00, rounding out a powerful men’s podium.
Nageeye’s victory in New York is a story of redemption, highlighting his ability to overcome setbacks and perform at his best on the grand stage. His tenacity and mental toughness in the face of adversity make this win particularly memorable.
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Beyond the glory and acclaim, the New York City Marathon offers substantial financial rewards, with $100,000 each going to Chepkirui and Nageeye for their first-place finishes. But the lucrative rewards don’t stop there.
The marathon organizers have set up a well-structured prize system, ensuring that top performers are financially recognized for their efforts.
Hellen Obiri and Evans Chebet, who finished in second place for women and men, will each walk away with $60,000. Albert Korir and Vivian Cheruiyot, who claimed the third spots, will receive $40,000 each.
This prize structure reflects the marathon’s commitment to rewarding excellence and encouraging elite athletes from around the world to participate.
The prize money extends beyond the podium, with athletes finishing fourth to sixth receiving $25,000, $15,000, and $10,000, respectively. Runners in seventh, eighth, and ninth place will take home $7,500, $5,000, and $2,500, respectively, while those finishing in tenth place will still receive $2,000.
Such extensive prize money distribution provides financial incentives for a broader range of elite athletes to push their limits and strive for top placements.
American Finishers: Additional Rewards for Home Country Runners
The New York City Marathon also recognizes top-performing American runners, providing a special prize pool for the fastest U.S. athletes. The top American man and woman to cross the finish line each receive $25,000, with the second and third fastest taking home $15,000 and $10,000, respectively.
This additional incentive encourages domestic participation and gives American runners something extra to strive for in a highly competitive international field.
The 2024 New York City Marathon: A Race to Remember
The 2024 New York City Marathon will be remembered for the intense competition, inspiring victories, and impressive payouts for the athletes who conquered the course.
From Sheila Chepkirui’s hard-fought triumph over defending champion Hellen Obiri to Abdi Nageeye’s redemption victory after the Paris Olympics, the race highlighted both athletic excellence and the human spirit’s resilience.
For Chepkirui and Nageeye, this marathon marks a high point in their careers, and their significant financial rewards underscore the value placed on these achievements. Both athletes can now look forward to further successes, armed with the confidence and recognition that come from winning a major marathon.
