What 6 major marathons pay winning athletes as Eliud Kipchoge returns to London

 What 6 major marathons pay winning athletes as Eliud Kipchoge returns to London

The 45th London Marathon, scheduled for April 27, 2025, marks the third race in the Abbott World Marathon Majors, following Boston and Tokyo. These prestigious races draw elite distance runners worldwide, competing for both glory and substantial prize money. The Boston Marathon, recently dominated by Kenyan athletes, boasts the highest payouts, with the New York City Marathon ranking second. As Eliud Kipchoge returns to London aiming for his fifth victory, we examine the prize money offered by all six World Marathon Majors.

1) Boston Marathon Prize for Winner: $150,000 (men and women). Additional Bonuses: $50,000 for breaking the course record (men: 2:05:54, women: 2:19:59, as of 2024). Time bonuses may also apply (e.g., under 2:05:30 for men or 2:22:30 for women). Total Prize Pool: Over $700,000 for elite runners, with additional funds for wheelchair divisions.

London Marathon Prize for Winner: $55,000 (£44,000, based on 2024–2025 figures) for both men and women. Additional Bonuses: Up to $70,000 shared for times under 2:05:00 (men) or 2:18:00 (women). Course record bonuses (~$50,000) and world record bonuses (up to $500,000 in some years) are possible. In 2019, London distributed $313,000 in prize money and $850,000 in time bonuses. Total Prize Pool: $308,000 (£243,000) per elite race category (men’s, women’s, men’s wheelchair, women’s wheelchair) in 2025, totaling ~$1.2 million across all elite divisions

Berlin Marathon Prize for Winner: ~$100,000 (men and women, based on recent WMM trends). Additional Bonuses: $50,000–$100,000 for course records (men: 2:01:09 by Kipchoge in 2022; women: 2:11:53 by Tigist Assefa in 2023). World record bonuses can reach $500,000, as seen in other fast marathons like Dubai. Total Prize Pool: ~$500,000–$600,000 for elite runners.

Chicago Marathon Prize for Winner: $100,000 (men and women). Additional Bonuses: $75,000 for breaking the course record (men: 2:00:35 by Kelvin Kiptum in 2023; women: 2:09:56 by Ruth Chepngetich in 2024). Time bonuses for sub-2:05:30 (men) or sub-2:22:30 (women) can add $50,000. Total Prize Pool: ~$600,000 for elite runners.

New York City Marathon Prize for Winner: $100,000 (men and women). Additional Bonuses: $50,000 for times under 2:05:30 (men) or 2:22:30 (women). Course record bonuses (~$50,000) are available (men: 2:05:06; women: 2:22:31, as of 2020). Total Prize Pool: ~$670,000 for elite runners.

Tokyo Marathon Prize for Winner: $80,000 (men and women), but reduced to $40,000 if times exceed 2:10:00 (men) or 2:24:00 (women). Additional Bonuses: $50,000 for course records (men: 2:02:40 by Kipchoge in 2022; women: 2:16:02). World record bonuses (~$500,000) are possible but rare. Total Prize Pool: ~$400,000–$500,000 for elite runners.

Sydney Marathon Prize for Winner: Not yet publicly detailed for 2025, its first WMM year. Based on other WMM races, expect ~$50,000–$100,000 for winners, with smaller bonuses for course records or fast times. Total Prize Pool: Likely ~$300,000–$500,000