What's The Prize Money For The New York Marathon?
NYC Marathon prize money
The New York Marathon prize money for the elite Open Division is led by a $100,000 first-place payout for both the men's and women's winners, with $60,000 for second and $40,000 for third; prizes then continue down to 10th place at $2,000.
Prize structure
For the most recent published prize structure, New York Road Runners awards equal prize money to men and women in the Open Division, plus separate payouts for top Americans, masters runners, and wheelchair athletes.
| Category | Place | Prize money |
|---|---|---|
| Open Division | 1st | $100,000 |
| Open Division | 2nd | $60,000 |
| Open Division | 3rd | $40,000 |
| Open Division | 4th | $25,000 |
| Open Division | 5th | $15,000 |
| Open Division | 6th | $10,000 |
| Open Division | 7th | $7,500 |
| Open Division | 8th | $5,000 |
| Open Division | 9th | $2,500 |
| Open Division | 10th | $2,000 |
| Top American | 1st | $25,000 |
| Wheelchair Division | 1st | $35,000 |
What winners can earn
The course record bonus is another major headline item: runners in the Open Division or Wheelchair Division who break the course record can earn an extra $50,000.
- Open Division winners: $100,000 each for men and women.
- Top 10 Open Division finishers: paid from $60,000 down to $2,000.
- Top Americans: $25,000 for first, then $15,000, $10,000, $5,000, and $3,000.
- Masters runners: awards go to the top three finishers, with $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000.
- Wheelchair winners: $35,000 for first, plus a possible $50,000 record bonus.
How the race pays
The Open Division is reserved for professional and invited athletes, which is why prize money is not available to the thousands of recreational runners in the mass field.
- Elite runners start in the professional invitational field and are eligible for cash prizes.
- Finish order determines most payouts, with gun time used for placement in the prize structure.
- Separate American, masters, and wheelchair awards are layered on top of the main Open Division purse.
- Course-record bonuses can significantly increase total earnings for standout performances.
Recent context
Coverage of the marathon in 2024 and 2025 continued to report the same top-line Open Division payout of $100,000 for each winner, suggesting the headline prize structure has remained stable in recent editions.
One 2025 report also noted that the broader prize structure can be viewed as a multi-tier system rather than a single winner's purse, since awards are distributed across multiple eligible categories.
The NYC Marathon's prize system is designed to reward both outright victory and depth of performance, especially among elite, American, masters, and wheelchair competitors.
Why it matters
The marathon purse matters because New York remains one of the world's most prestigious road races, and its prize structure reflects both competitive depth and parity between men and women at the elite level.
Historical coverage also shows the purse has evolved over time; for example, a 2006 World Athletics report described a total prize purse of more than $700,000 with a $130,000 first-place payout, underscoring how the event's elite awards have long been significant.
Bottom line
The simplest answer is that the New York Marathon winner gets $100,000, while the broader elite prize ladder extends through 10th place, top American honors, masters awards, wheelchair payouts, and possible record bonuses.
Helpful tips and tricks for Whats The Prize Money For The New York Marathon
How much prize money does the New York Marathon winner get?
The men's and women's Open Division winners each get $100,000, with equal prizes across both elite fields.
Do all marathon runners get paid?
No, the prize money is reserved for elite and invited athletes, plus selected category awards such as top Americans, masters, and wheelchair divisions.
Can runners earn more than the winner's prize?
Yes, a course-record bonus of $50,000 can be added on top of the normal payout, so an athlete who wins and breaks the record can earn substantially more.
What do top American runners receive?
The top American man and woman each receive $25,000, with additional awards for second through fifth place.