- John Korir, Sharon Lokedi defend Boston Marathon crowns they won in 2025.
- Korir smashed a 15-year course record in defending his crown.
- Lokedi led a Kenyan sweep in the women’s category.
Defending champions John Korir and Sharon Lokedi completed a Kenyan double-double at the Boston Marathon on Monday, both delivering tactical masterpieces to clinch back-to-back victories in the 130th edition of the prestigious road race.
Korir took advantage of perfect racing conditions to claim the fourth marathon win of his career with a majestic performance to win the men’s race in a new course record.
The 29-year-old defending champion bided his time before pulling away from Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha after 20 miles to finish in a time of 2hr 1min 52sec.
Korir’s winning time obliterated the previous course record of 2hr 03min 02sec set by Geoffrey Mutai in 2011.
John Korir, Sharon Lokedi defend Boston Marathon crowns
Tanzania’s world champion Alphonce Simbu finished second in 2hr 02min 47sec, sprinting past Kenya’s Benson Kipruto down the closing straight.
Korir’s second Boston victory follows his wins at the Chicago Marathon in 2024 and the Valencia Marathon in December.
Korir’s emphatic win in the men’s race was emulated by Lokedi in the women’s elite event, who took the tape in 2hr 18min 51sec.
The 32-year-old collected the third major marathon victory of her career after emerging from a crowded pack of around a dozen runners over the final six miles.
Lokedi broke clear after 21.7 miles with compatriots Loice Chemnung and Irine Cheptai alongside her, and then kicked again to lead by eight seconds from Chemnung at the 23-mile mark.
Lokedi showed no sign of flagging over the final few miles and led by 33 seconds heading into the final mile before kicking for home to complete a third major marathon win after victories in New York in 2022 and Boston in 2025.
The strength of Team Kenya as a long-distance running nation was on full display as the nation secured a podium sweep in the women’s elite division.
Chemnung, who entered the race with a strong personal best from Chicago, crossed the line in second place to take the silver medal.
She was followed closely by the veteran Mary Ngugi who secured third place to complete the all-Kenyan podium. The dominance extended even further down the rankings, with Mercy Chelangat finishing in fourth place to ensure Kenyan athletes occupied the top four positions in the field.
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