The Top Local Finishers at the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon
The New York–area running scene is super competitive, so to finish at the top of the podium is no mean feat.
This year's top woman, man, and nonbinary finishers at the TCS New York City Marathon had to be at the top of their game to place first, and they delivered.
We caught up with these three winners and asked them a few questions about their experiences on November 2, and what comes next.
Top Local Woman Finisher: Felicia Pasadyn
“I am inspired by the blessings God has given me”
Felicia Pasadyn burst onto the local running scene in 2025, winning the RBC Brooklyn Half, NYRR Team Championships 5M, NYRR Grete’s Great Gallop 10K, and New Balance Bronx 10 Mile. Then, on November 2, she ran an amazing 2:35:17 at the TCS New York City Marathon. The time was a personal best, placed her 14th woman overall and first among NYC residents, and qualified her for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.
Felicia competes for 212 Athletic–Saucony. A former standout swimmer at Harvard University, she got more serious about running when she moved to NYC in 2023 to attend NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She’s balanced high-level running with intense medical training, fitting in her runs and lots of cross training around 12-hour days of classes and clinical work.
What is your favorite memory from November 2, 2025?
I had already crossed the finish line, found out I made Olympic Trials and placed 14th overall, been interviewed by the local news, and begun to process what a 2:35 meant to me. It wasn’t until I hugged my family for the first time after the race that it all truly hit me.
I grew emotional because my entire family lives in Northeast Ohio and they have to miss many of my races, so to have them there to support and greet me in that moment meant the whole world. They love and encourage me in more ways than I can count, even from afar, so I felt that I owed much of my performance on that day to them.
What or who is your biggest source of inspiration as a runner?
I know other people are not blessed to have the legs, lungs, arms, heart function, or whatever it may be, necessary to run or walk, let alone complete 26.2 miles. Yet, I have been blessed with these functions. For that, I have God to thank. I pray before every race, and I think my faith grounds me in difficult moments, whether that be balancing training with medical school or even mid-race. I asked God for help during the [TCS New York City] Marathon, and He delivered. I am inspired by the blessings God has given me and refuse to let my talents and opportunities to work hard fall to waste.
What do you like most about the NYC running community?
Everyone is incredibly impressive in their own way yet still so approachable and down to earth! I cannot believe the diversity of brilliant people I have met, such as CEOs, pro athletes, folks in finance, law, medicine, art, communications—the list goes on—who all want to get to know me and support my journey.
The NYRR community especially is something special. I didn’t initially believe I would run in the pro field at NYC, but Sam and Dorian from NYRR believed in me even more than I believed in myself! This is just one of many examples of how the NYC and NYRR communities have encouraged me to work toward greatness.
What are your plans and goals for 2026?
My 2026 goals include obtaining my MD in May 2026, matching at the radiology residency program that will suit me best as a doctor/provider, completing another marathon major (Chicago maybe?), trialing a track 5K or 10K, and being the best daughter, sister, friend, doctor, and runner I can be every day. Relentlessly working to better myself will help me get there.
What's your favorite thing to do when you're not running?
I like to go to farmers markets, explore parks, organize potlucks, play cards with college and med school friends; I also call my family every day. Spending time with people I love fills my cup!
Anything else you'd like to say to the NYRR running community?
I generally maintain an attitude of gratitude, as experiencing running injuries and working in healthcare predisposes you to have this mentality. But I have a special place of thankfulness in my heart for everything NYRR has brought to me, from friendships to helping me reach goals larger than I initially dreamed.
In exchange, I’ll tell the NYRR community to keep curating ambitious goals, making new friends, saying yes if it is something you love, and getting enough sleep to keep it all together.
Top Local Man Finisher: Matt Leach
“Thank you for the incredible cheering on marathon day!”
Matt Leach finished the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon in a time of 2:15:48, good for 19th place overall. A native of England, he’s been a resident of Brooklyn since 2023 and competes for the Brooklyn Track Club.
He’s had a great year on the local racing scene, placing in the top three in the RBC Brooklyn Half, Al Gordon 4M, and Team Championships 5M. This was his first TCS New York City Marathon.
What is your favorite memory from November 2, 2025?
The crowds were so amazing throughout the whole race that it is hard to pick just one moment. It was really special seeing so many people that I knew on the course throughout the whole race; my girlfriend, friends, training partners and teammates from Brooklyn Track Club. Every time it gave me a real boost and kept me going.
What or who is the biggest source of inspiration for you as a runner?
I have many training partners and friends from running over the years in different parts of the world and I always enjoy seeing what everyone is doing on Strava. Almost all of them have a full-time job but they keep training, racing, and going for PRs. This keeps me motivated as well.
What do you like most about the NYC running community?
This isn't the easiest place to train between the humidity, limited car-free routes and trying to avoid footballs at McCarren track. However, I feel like there is real community in the running community here at races, other events or when you're just out on a run.
I've also been very grateful to the community at Brooklyn Track Club. After moving to New York two and a half years ago it has been a great way to make friends (especially after you run a hard workout through a snowstorm together!).
What are your plans and goals for 2026?
I haven't run a PR since 2021 and while NYC wasn't a PR it was the first time in a while where I felt like I was performing at my full potential. I hope to take that energy and all the training I did for NYC into other distances in 2026, hopefully including some track racing and another marathon.
What's your favorite thing to do when you're not running?
During marathon training it was definitely finding a new bakery or pizza spot to try out and fuel all the miles.
Anything else you'd like to say to the NYRR running community?
Thank you for the incredible cheering on marathon day!
Top Nonbinary Finisher: Daniel Mata
“I love how inclusive the NYC running community is"
Daniel Mata discovered running during the pandemic and quickly moved to running major marathons. After finishing second in the 2024 Chicago Marathon's nonbinary division, Daniel set their sights on the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon.
Daniel moved to Jersey City this past spring, and the TCS New York City Marathon was their first-ever NYRR race. They delivered a phenomenal performance, finishing in 2:41:39 to win the nonbinary division, their first marathon victory.
What is your favorite memory from November 2, 2025?
My favorite memory was taking the Staten Island Ferry with my friends and going outside to see the sun rise. It helped me keep the pre-race nerves at bay and it set the tone for the rest of the day.
What or who is your biggest source of inspiration as a runner?
My biggest sources of inspiration as a runner are the people around me and the friends I have had the pleasure to train with on the way to the start line. Seeing other people do everything they can to perform their best despite all the challenges life might throw at them makes me feel like I can do that too!
What do you like most about the NYC running community?
I love how inclusive the NYC running community is. As a queer person and as an immigrant, I don’t feel like I need to change who I am to fit in. Whether it’s a group run with Fleet Feet or a citywide event like Summer Streets, I can just be myself and people appreciate me for who I am.
What are your plans and goals for 2026?
I am definitely looking forward to racing more with NYRR and in NYC in general. I spent a lot of time rebuilding my fitness this year. Next year, I’m looking to run faster and compete more in general. This spring, I’ll be running the Manhattan 10K, the United Airlines NYC Half, and then the 130th Boston Marathon! My goal is to place well in both the nonbinary and the overall categories so we’ll see how that goes.
What's your favorite thing to do when you're not running?
I love to read, so when I’m not busy running or at work, I’m usually reading whatever I can get my hands on. That usually means I’m reading on the train, so I try to bring a light paperback with me on my commute. Currently, I’m revisiting Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.” At home, I love spending time with my partner and with our dog.
Anything else you'd like to say to the NYRR running community?
I just want to say thank you to the NYRR community for being awesome. Keep chasing your dreams and keep bringing positive energy to the sport. You are what makes this city and its running community so special!
Felicia and Daniel have been interviewed on Set the Pace, the official podcast of New York Road Runners. You can find episodes here.
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