NAIROBI, Kenya, April 21, 2025 – Kenyan duo of John Korir and Sharon Lokedi made history with victory at the Boston Marathon on Monday evening.
Korir clocked 2:04:45 to bag top honour in the men’s race, ahead of Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu (2:05:04) and fellow Kenyan, Cybrian Kotut (2:05:04) in second and third respectively.
In doing so, Korir became the second from his family to win the World Marathon Majors race after his older brother Wesley, who clocked 2:12:40 on his way to victory in 2012.
The 28-year-old recovered from a stumble at the start of the race to tighten his grip on the proceedings, speeding way with 8km left to go for a historic victory.
The man of the moment was beside himself, expressing his delight at reaping the rewards of a tactically executed race.
“I saw that all the others were not really putting in the effort as far as the pace was concerned. So, I decided to push a little harder and surged in front of the race. I kept pushing and that is how I crossed the finish line first,” the Chicago Marathon.
Korir’s time is also the third-fastest for the men’s race in the 129 years of the competition.
He has also emulated fellow Kenyan, Robert ‘Mwafrika’ Cheruiyot who won in Chicago in 2006 before successfully defending his Boston title, less than a year later.
Sharon shines in Boston
It was also an unforgettable day for Lokedi who held off the challenge of immediate former champion Hellen Obiri to grab glory in the women’s race.
The Paris Olympian clocked a course record of 2:17:22 for the win, as Obiri – who was seeking a historic third consecutive Boston title – had to be content with second.
The Olympic marathon bronze medalist faded away in the last 2km, eventually crossing the finish line in 2:17:41.
Ethiopian Yalemzerf Yehualaw came third in 2:18:06.
“It feels so good…it feels so great. It is always tough and I just wanted to toughen it out. I fought so hard to the end and eventually won so I am really happy,” Lokedi said after the win.
It is her second World Marathon Majors win following her triumph at the 2022 New York Marathon where she ran 2:23:23 in what was her debut in the 42km.
Furthermore, it is her second win of the year after excelling at the New York Half Marathon, last month, where she clocked 1:07:04 for the victory.
