John Korir and Sharon Lokedi successful defended their Boston marathon titles on Monday, once again underlining Kenya’s rich talent on the distance races.
Korir produced a masterclass successfully defending his marathon title in a course record time of 2:01:52.
Korir’s run rewrote the record books, obliterating the long-standing course mark of 2:03:02 set by Kenya’s Geoffrey Mutai in 2011.
In the process, the Kenyan star also dipped under his previous personal best of 2:02:24, which he had set during his triumphant outing in Valencia last December.
Behind him, Tanzania’s world marathon champion Alphonse Simbu finished second place in 2:02:47, while Benson Kipruto completed an all-East African podium, clocking 2:02:50 for third.
The 29-year-old’s triumph marked a successful title defence, having claimed last year’s crown in 2:04:45.
In that 2025 edition, Simbu had also finished second in 2:05:04, with compatriot Cybrian Kotut sealing third in the same time.
Korir had already hinted at another dominant campaign in Boston after opening his season in commanding fashion at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour on February 14.
There, he powered through the senior men’s 10km, stopping the clock at 29:44 to take top honours ahead of Amos Kiprotich and Silas Senchura, who both timed 29:46.
For his triumph, Korir pocketed $150,000 (Sh19.4 million) plus an additional $50,000 (Sh6.5 million) for shattering the course record.
In the women’s race, Lokedi also defended her crown while also spearheading a resounding Kenyan podium sweep.
She powered down Boylston Street to breast the tape in a winning time of 2:18:51.
She held off a spirited challenge from compatriot Loice Chemnung, who clocked 2:19:35 in only her second career outing over the 42km distance.
Completing the all-Kenyan domination, Mary Ngugi-Cooper sealed third place in 2:20:07.
The 32-year-old Lokedi returned to familiar territory with authority, having claimed last year’s title in emphatic fashion, where she surged to a course record of 2:17:22 after outkicking defending champion Hellen Obiri, who settled for second in 2:17:41.
Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw had completed that podium in 2:18:06.
Lokedi’s Boston love affair has been building steadily.
She had finished second in the 2024 edition, clocking 2:22:45 just behind Obiri’s winning mark of 2:22:37.
Her 2026 campaign had already signaled intent.
She opened her season with a strong statement at the New York Half Marathon on March 15, timing 1:07:10 to finish second once again behind Obiri, who lit up the course with a record-breaking 1:06:33.
Britain’s Megan Keith rounded off that podium in 1:07:13.
