- Margaret Okayo set the current New York City Marathon course record of 2:22:31 in 2003.
- Geoffrey Mutai stopped the clock at 2:03:02 in 2011 to break the world record and set the existing Boston Marathon course record.
- Kenyan runners held more than six Abbott world marathon majors course records as of January, 2025.
Kenyan runners are known in most parts of the world for their prowess in track, marathon and cross country races.
The likes of Eliud Kipchoge, Beatrice Chebet, and Faith Kipyegon have flown the country’s flag high in the recent past while budding stars such as Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Edmund Serem and Faith Cherotich continue to dominate.
Although Kenyans have set various records in different disciplines around the universe, they have struggled to lower certain marks.
SportPesa Blog takes a look at two long-standing Abbott world marathon majors course records that were set by Kenyans that have remained untouched for decades.
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Boston Marathon men’s course record
Boston Marathon is without doubt one of the hardest road races in the world due to its challenging hills.
However, despite it having a tough course, Kenya’s Geoffrey Mutai produced a scintillating performance in 2011 to set a world record of 2:03:02.
Mutai’s display in the streets of Boston will go down as one the best in history since no one has ever set a world record in that course in recent years.
Since Mutai’s performance, the likes of Dennis Kimetto, Wilson Kipsang and Eliud Kipchoge went on to lower the mark in Berlin Marathon with the late Kelvin Kiptum setting the current world record of 2:00:35 in the 2023 Chicago Marathon edition.
In addition, many brilliant road race runners have emerged from different parts of the globe but none of them has come close to Mutai’s Boston Marathon course record.
Some of the athletes that are likely to attack the mark in the 2025 edition include the defending champion Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia and Evans Chebet, who will be chasing his third title in the streets of Massachusetts’ capital.
New York City Marathon women’s course record.
Kenya’s Margaret Okayo set the current New York City Marathon course record more than 20 years ago.
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Okayo, who was then one of the best female marathoners in the world, ran a sensational race to stop the clock at 2:22:31 in the 2003 edition.
She was followed by her compatriot Catherine Ndereba and Kenyan-born Dutch representative Lornah Kiplagat, who clocked 2:23:03 and 2:23:43 respectively.
Since then, no woman has ever managed to lower Okayo’s course record, and it seems the wait will continue based on recent performances.
Sheila Chepkirui won last year’s title in 2:24:35 while Hellen Obiri crossed the finishing line in 2:27:23 to emerge victorious in the 2023 edition.
Abbott world marathon majors course records
Chicago Marathon
- Kelvin Kiptum: 2:00:35 (2023)
- Ruth Chepngetich: 2:09:56 (2024)
Boston Marathon
- Geoffrey Mutai: 2:03:02 (2011)
- Buzunesh Deba: 2:19:59 (2014)
New York City Marathon
- Margaret Okayo: 2:22:31 (2003)
- Tamirat Tola: 2:04:58
London Marathon
- Kelvin Kiptum: 2:01:25 (2023)
- Peres Jepchirchir: 2:16:16 (2024)
Berlin Marathon
- Eliud Kipchoge: 2:01:09 (2022)
- Tigist Assefa: 2:11:53 (2023)
Tokyo City Marathon
- Benson Kipruto: 2:02:16 (2024)
- Sutume Kebede: 2:15:55 (2024)
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