American runner J.P. Flavin and Kenya’s Priscah Cherono won the professional races at The Marathon Project on December 21 in Chandler, Arizona, each collecting $10,000 from the event’s $40,000 total prize purse. Both athletes set personal bests in their victories on a course known for quality times and competitive fields.
The Marathon Project Prize Money Winners
Flavin, 27, from Rochester, Michigan, ran a controlled race to win the men’s professional division in 2:09:18. He split the race nearly evenly, covering the first half in 1:04:40 and the second half in 1:04:38. Despite sitting in ninth place at the halfway point, his steady pacing carried him to victory.
Meanwhile, Turner Wiley, 32, of Issaquah, Washington, finished second in 2:09:27, also a personal best, and earned $5,000. South Africa’s Nadeel Wildschutt, 29, took third place in 2:09:40 and collected $2,500.
Read more: Priscah Cherono and JP Flavin Win 2025 Marathon Project Races – Results
Ben Rosa, 23, from Lake Bluff, Illinois, placed fourth in 2:09:47 and won $1,500, while Nick Hauger, 29, of Flagstaff, Arizona, rounded out the top five with 2:10:18 and earned $1,000. The top five men all finished within two minutes of each other, creating one of the most competitive fields of the season.
Priscah Cherono Takes Home $10,000
Cherono delivered the most surprising performance of the day, winning the women’s race in 2:25:17. The Kenyan veteran had not posted any race results between December 2020 and September 2025, making her comeback victory unexpected. For her comeback efforts, the 45-year-old pocketed $10,000.
American Molly Grabill from Lafayette, Colorado, placed second in 2:28:56 and collected $5,000, while compatriot Jane Bareikis of Midlothian, Illinois, finished third in 2:30:16 and earned $2,500. Sweden’s Hanna Lindholm took fourth place in 2:31:19 and won $1,500. Peru’s Mica Rivera Wood claimed fifth in 2:31:35 and received $1,000.
Neither winner broke the course records established in 2020. Martin Hehir holds the men’s mark at 2:08:59, while Sara Hall set the women’s standard at 2:20:32. Flavin came within 19 seconds of Hehir’s record despite his conservative first-half strategy.
The Marathon Project distributed prize money to the top five finishers in both professional races. Race organizers designed the December event to give athletes a late-season opportunity to run fast times on a flat course with favorable conditions.
The Marathon Project Prize Money Winners
Women’s Prize Money Winners
- Priscah Cherono, 45, Kenya, 2:25:17, $10,000
- Molly Grabill, 33, Lafayette, Colorado, 2:28:56, $5,000
- Jane Bareikis, 31, Midlothian, Illinois, 2:30:16, $2,500
- Hanna Lindholm, 46, Sweden, 2:31:19, $1,500
- Mica Rivera Wood, Peru, Los Angeles, California, 2:31:35, $1,000
Men’s Prize Money Winners
- J.P. Flavin, 27, Rochester, Michigan, 2:09:18, $10,000
- Turner Wiley, 32, Issaquah, Washington, 2:09:27, $5,000
- Nadeel Wildschutt, 29, South Africa, 2:09:40, $2,500
- Ben Rosa, 23, Lake Bluff, Illinois, 2:09:47, $1,500
- Nick Hauger, 29, Flagstaff, Arizona, 2:10:18, $1,000
