Thousands of runners laced up their sneakers for the 2025 Philadelphia Marathon Sunday, racing their way through Center City and Fairmount Park, across University City and Manayunk, and along the scenic Schuylkill River.

But only a handful of competitors can call themselves marathon winners.

Melikhaya Frans, of Gqeberha, South Africa, was the first male professional to complete the 26.2 mile race on Nov. 23. The 35-year-old crossed the finish line with a time of 2:13:57.

"To come here and win the race, it means a lot to me," Frans said. "I did this for my team at home."

2025 Philadelphia men's marathon winner Melikhaya Frans CBS Philadelphia

The first female pro to finish was 26-year-old Anna Oeser, of Brookfield, Connecticut. Oeser ran her race – her first marathon – with a time of

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