It is the oldest marathon in the world and the one that offers the greatest reward to those who compete.
It’s not New York and it’s not Berlin: this is the marathon with the biggest winner’s prize
On Nov. 2, one of the year’s most important events in world athletics takes place. The New York Marathon is among the most prestigious races, and as in every year, in 2025, tens of thousands of athletes will gather on the streets of one of the world’s most iconic cities. First held in 1970, its growing reputation has led many to believe it awards the highest prize money to the winner, but this is not the case.
On Sunday, 180 members of the FDNY will run 26.2 miles in the New York City Marathon. We will be rooting for them as they make their way across the five boroughs 👟 #tcsnycmarathon pic.twitter.com/DUuMps4tyU
— FDNY (@FDNY) October 30, 2025
Nor is it the Berlin Marathon, another of the world’s major races. In fact, the marathon with the highest prize for the winner is Boston, which has already taken place in 2025.
How much money does the Boston Marathon distribute?
The Boston Marathon is the oldest in the world, first run in 1897 and held continuously since then. In just the last 35 years, more than 20 million dollars in prize money has been awarded at this race. Its prize fund, which reaches up to $868,500, is the largest in the world.
Boston Marathon awards
| Position | General | Wheelchair | Masters | Disability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | $150,000 | $25,000 | $5,000 | $1,500 |
| 2nd | $75,000 | $15,000 | $2,500 | $750 |
| 3rd | $40,000 | $7,500 | $1,500 | $500 |
| 4th | $25,000 | $4,500 | ||
| 5th | $18,000 | $2,500 | ||
| 6th | $13,500 | $2,000 | ||
| 7th | $10,500 | $1,500 | ||
| 8th | $8,500 | $1,250 | ||
| 9th | $7,000 | $1,000 | ||
| 10th | $5,500 | $750 |
Bonus for marathon record breakers
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Additionally, if a record is broken, the Boston Marathon offers an extra bonus of $50,000. Kenyan runner Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot is the athlete who has earned the most from Boston, having taken home a total prize of $469,000.
In this way, Boston surpasses other races, such as New York, which awards $100,000 to the winner; London, where the top prize is $53,200; and Berlin, which rewards the fastest runner with $22,600.
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