THE MARATHON PROJECT RETURNED IN 2025 IN SPECTACULAR FASHION WITH WORLD-CLASS RACING, LIVE GLOBAL BROADCAST, AMD $40,000 PRIZE PURSE.

Official Press Release Below

Chandler, AZ — December 22, 2025 — The Marathon Project presented by HOKA made its long-awaited return this weekend for the first time since 2020, delivering a premier showcase of elite long-distance running, cutting-edge live production, and fan-first innovation in Chandler, AZ, USA at the Rawhide Event Center.

Streaming live worldwide on FloTrack, The Marathon Project 2025 featured uninterrupted race coverage complemented by an on-site live video board broadcast, real-time athlete tracking, and dynamic aerial drone footage that brought viewers closer than ever to the action. Fans on site and around the globe followed every move of the professional field from start to finish.

With Blank's Sports Nutrition serving as the event's official personal bottles program and nutrition partner, The Marathon Project provided the opportunity for all participants to use their own fluids bottles on the course. 

Event management and course logistics were provided by Big River Race Management who also timed the event using ChronoTrack, the premier timing system used by 50 of the top 100 largest races in the U.S.

The professional race went off early Sunday morning, December 21, with a deep international field competing for a $40,000 total prize purse. The top five men and women each earned prize money, with $10,000 awarded to the male and female winners, JP Flavin (USA) and Priscah Cherono (KEN).

Cherono made a hard move early, pulling away from pre-race favorites, Kellyn Taylor and Paige Wood, and building a nearly four-minute lead by 30k. She would go on to win in 2:25:17 over runner-up Molly Grabill (USA) who crossed the line in 2:28:56. The time was a personal best for the 45-year-old who has been competing on the world stage since 2002. Wood and Taylor did not finish.

The men's race featured a number of dramatic lead changes over the final ten miles. At 25k it appeared to be a two-man battle between two-time Olympic medalist Paul Chelimo and South African debutant, Nadeel Wildschutt. JP Flavin of the Hansons Brooks Distance Project had other ideas, however. Despite being 50 seconds back at 30k, Flavin consistently cut into the lead, eventually passing Chelimo, and then Wildschutt with two miles to go. He would go on to take the victory in a personal best of 2:09:18. Turner Wiley (USA) also closed hard to finish second in 2:09:27. Wildschutt held on for third. Ben Rosa (USA) was fourth in his debut at the distance in 2:09:47. 

In the Gold Wave Marathon, Matthew Mulligan and Catalina Langlois claimed victory, showcasing exceptional performances in front of an enthusiastic on-site crowd. Their wins highlighted the inclusive and competitive spirit of The Marathon Project weekend, which celebrates both professional and high-level amateurs. The race delivered fast times, tactical racing, and compelling finishes worthy of the event’s global stage.

In addition to the professional race, The Marathon Project weekend included the Gold Wave Marathon, a TMP 5K, an athlete expo, a pro race press conference open to the public, a pre-race indoor warm-up area, and a post-race Fan Zone, creating a full festival atmosphere around elite distance running.

Results are available via the official RaceRecord leaderboard for The Marathon Project https://racerecord.com/race/leaderboard/19841/2025_The_Marathon_Project-Professional_Marathon

For more information, results, and future announcements, visit www.themarathonproject.com.