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Sharon Lokedi of Kenya won a thrilling Boston Marathon, defeating compatriot and two-time defending champion Hellen Obiri and shattering the course record in the process. Lokedi pulled away from her rival in the closing stages, finishing in 2:17:22, more than two and a half minutes faster than the previous record set by Buzunesh Deba in 2014.
It was Lokedi’s second major marathon victory having triumphed in New York in 2022, while also avenging her runner-up finish to Obiri at last year’s race.
“I’m always second to her and today I was like: There’s no way,” the 31-year-old said. “I just have to put it out there and fight till the end and see how it goes. I’m so glad I ran that fast and she was right behind me. We all fought and wanted this so bad.”
Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw was third in 2:18:06, still well inside the old course record.
The lead group set off at a blistering pace, passing through the halfway mark in 1:08:46. The race started to thin out in the hilly latter stages, eventually leaving only Lokedi and Obiri to battle for the victory.
In the men’s race, Kenyan John Korir pulled clear from the lead pack around mile 20 to take a commanding victory in a time of 2:04:45.
Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu outsprinted Kenya’s Cyprian Kotut to finish second, crossing the line 19 seconds behind Korir, while American Conner Mantz narrowly missed out on a podium place in fourth.
The 28-year-old Korir follows in the footsteps of his brother Wesley, who took the title in Boston 13 years ago. The pair embraced at the finish line as they celebrated becoming the first siblings ever to win the race.
The reigning Chicago Marathon champion had to overcome a difficult start in Boston when he fell in the first 50 meters and lost his race number from the front of his singlet. However, he soon managed to pick himself up and catch up with the lead runners.
