The New York City Marathon is one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year, drawing millions of spectators and television viewers. But beyond the thrill of the race, there's a fascinating financial story unfolding on the streets of the Big Apple. From record-breaking performances to the surprising earnings of elite athletes, the world of marathon running is a goldmine of both athletic and economic intrigue.

Unlocking the Riches of the Marathon Circuit

The Allure of the Major Marathons

The world's top marathon runners are not just chasing glory and personal bests; they're also competing for substantial cash prizes. The six major marathons – New York, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and Tokyo – offer some of the most lucrative payouts in the sport. At the 2024 New York City Marathon, the winners of the men's and women's divisions will each take home a cool $100,000, with the top 10 finishers in each category receiving varying amounts down to $2,000 for 10th place. The wheelchair champions, too, will earn $35,000 each, with the top six finishers earning a share of the prize money.These payouts are the second-highest among the major marathons, trailing only the Boston Marathon, which offers $150,000 to its champions. The Boston and London events also boast the highest prizes for the wheelchair divisions. While a six-figure payday for a single race is undoubtedly impressive, the annual earnings of elite marathon runners are capped by the fact that most only compete in one or two major events per year to optimize their performance and minimize the strain on their bodies.

The Abbott World Marathon Majors: A Lucrative Series

Beyond the individual race prizes, the Abbott World Marathon Majors (WMM) series provides an additional avenue for elite runners to boost their earnings. This points-based competition rewards the top performers across the six major marathons, as well as the World Athletics Championship and the Olympics. In the past, the WMM winner would receive a $500,000 payout, but that figure has since been reduced to $50,000.Even with the lower WMM prize, the earnings potential for the world's best marathon runners remains substantial. In 2023, Kenyan runner Kelvin Kiptum, who tragically passed away in a car accident earlier this year, had a standout season that netted him a staggering $430,000 in prize money. His victories in the London and Chicago Marathons, combined with the WMM title, showcased the lucrative rewards that can be reaped by the sport's elite.

Wheelchair Marathoners: Earning on Par with Runners

While the prize money for the top finishers in the major marathons is impressive, the earnings of elite wheelchair athletes are equally noteworthy. Unlike their running counterparts, wheelchair marathoners typically compete in most of the year's major events, allowing them to amass substantial prize money despite the smaller individual payouts.In 2023, Swiss athlete Marcel Hug, the winningest marathoner in the world, earned over $300,000 in prize money. His dominance, which included victories in all six major marathons, as well as record-breaking performances in Boston and Chicago, propelled him to the top of the earnings leaderboard. In fact, Sportico's analysis revealed that at least seven of the top 25 earners from major marathons in 2023 were wheelchair athletes.

The Wealth Divide: Only the Best of the Best

While the top marathon runners and wheelchair athletes can earn substantial sums from prize money alone, the reality is that only a select few can make a living solely from these earnings. With only the top five to 12 finishers in any given race receiving a payout, the vast majority of participants must rely on other sources of income, such as appearance fees and endorsements, to supplement their earnings.In 2023, Sportico estimates that roughly a dozen marathoners across the men's, women's, and wheelchair divisions earned at least $100,000 from prize money at the six major events. This elite group represents the pinnacle of the sport, with the rest of the field struggling to make ends meet despite their incredible athletic feats.

The 2024 New York City Marathon: A Showcase of Talent and Earnings

As the 2024 New York City Marathon approaches, the world's top marathon runners and wheelchair athletes are gearing up for another shot at glory and a share of the lucrative prize money. Swiss legend Marcel Hug, who has dominated the wheelchair division in recent years, is seeking his fourth consecutive victory in New York, which could add another sizable payday to his already impressive earnings.On the women's side, Kenyan runner Hellen Obiri, the defending champion, will be looking to defend her title and the $150,000 prize that comes with it. Meanwhile, Swiss athlete Caroline Debrunner, who earned over $200,000 from wheelchair races in 2023, will not be competing in this year's event, but her absence will only heighten the anticipation for the next generation of wheelchair champions to make their mark.As the world's elite marathon runners and wheelchair athletes take to the streets of New York, the financial stakes will be as high as the athletic ones. The 2024 New York City Marathon promises to be a thrilling showcase of both sporting excellence and the lucrative rewards that await the best of the best in this captivating world of endurance running.