Defending champion John Korir will be out to protect his crown when he toes the line on Monday at the Boston Marathon, bracing for a high-octane duel against a stacked elite field.
Korir stormed to victory in last year’s edition, breasting the tape in 2:04:45.
Alphonse Simbu settled for second in 2:05:04, while compatriot Cybrian Kotut sealed third in an identical time.
Korir has already signalled his intent for another dominant campaign, opening his season with authority at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour on February 14.
There, he powered through the senior men’s 10km, clocking 29:44 to take top honours ahead of Amos Kiprotich and Silas Senchura, who both timed 29:46.
The Boston race, however, presents a different test.
Korir will lock horns with compatriot Benson Kipruto, the 2021 champion, whose mastery of the Boston course makes him a perennial threat.
Kipruto triumphed in 2021 in 2:09:51 and has since proven his consistency with back-to-back third-place finishes in 2022 and 2023.
Adding more depth to the field is world marathon champion Simbu, alongside a formidable cast that includes 2025 Sydney Marathon champion Hailemaryam Kiros, 2024 New York Marathon winner Abdi Nageeye and 2024 Berlin Marathon champion Milkesa Mengesha.
In the women’s race, Kenya’s hopes will rest on defending champion Sharon Lokedi.
The 32-year-old claimed the crown last year, surging to victory in 2:17:22 after outkicking Hellen Obiri, who clocked 2:17:41.
Yalemzerf Yehualaw completed the podium in 2:18:06.
She had earlier finished second in the 2024 edition, timing 2:22:45 just behind Obiri’s 2:22:37.
She kicked off her 2026 season with a strong statement at the New York half marathon on March 15, timing 1:07:10 to finish second behind Obiri, who set a course record of 1:06:33.
Britain’s Megan Keith sealed third in 1:07:13.
Lokedi will be flanked by a solid Kenyan contingent featuring 2025 Chicago Marathon runner-up Irine Cheptai, debutant Loice Chemnung and experienced campaigner Mary Ngugi-Cooper.
They will, however, have to navigate a stern challenge from 2024 Sydney Marathon champion Workenesh Edesaa and Tanzania’s Magdalena Shauri.
