- Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi & John Korir set to headline the 130th Boston Marathon on April 20, 2026.
- The announcement was made by the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) on Thursday, December 11.
- They will be joined by Susannah Scaroni and Marcel Hug, while American record holders and 2024 Olympians Conner Mantz and Emily Sisson enter as top U.S. favorites.
Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi and John Korir are among the elite marathon runners set to headline the course from Hopkinton to Boston at the 130th Boston Marathon on April 20, 2026, as announced by the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) on Thursday, December 11.
This will mark the first time in history that all four defending open and wheelchair division champions, along with the reigning American record holders, will compete in the same edition of the world’s oldest annual marathon.
ALSO READ: Sharon Lokedi clinches the 2025 Boston Marathon to deny Obiri historic feat
The two reigning Boston Marathon champions will be joined by other world-class athletes, including Susannah Scaroni (USA, women’s wheelchair division) and Marcel Hug (Switzerland, men’s wheelchair division), who all return to defend their titles, while American record holders and 2024 Olympians Conner Mantz and Emily Sisson enter as U.S. favorites.
Sharon Lokedi & John Korir set to headline the 130th Boston Marathon next year
“On the occasion of 130 days away from the 130th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, it is fitting to preview what could be considered the strongest field of international and American stars for April’s race,” said Jack Fleming, President and CEO of the Boston Athletic Association.
“Each of these six athletes have decorated careers and are focused on meeting the moment and making history come Patriots’ Day.”
Lokedi, 31, delivered a blistering 2:17:22 in April, breaking a course record that had stood since 2014.
Her performance took more than two and a half minutes off the previous event best of 2:19:59.
She later finished second at the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon and will now aim to defend her title in her fourth consecutive appearance on the course.
ALSO READ: The serious money Sharon Lokedi & top Kenyan athletes have won in 2025 Boston Marathon
John Korir, also targeting his fourth appearance, overcame a fall at the start to win in 2:04:45- the third-fastest time in Boston Marathon history.
By claiming the olive wreath, Korir joined his brother Wesley (the 2012 champion) as the first pair of siblings to win the Boston Marathon.
Most recently, Korir secured a 2:02:24 victory at the Valencia Marathon on December 7, moving into eighth place on the all-time fastest marathon list.
ALSO READ: Brilliant John Korir wins the 2025 Boston Marathon title in style
The B.A.A. will announce the complete Professional Open, Wheelchair, and Para Athletics Division fields in January, while media credential applications for the 2025 Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America will open in February.