Kenyans Sharon Lokedi and John Korir left their mark on the 129th edition of the Boston Marathon on Monday, winning with distinction and setting a new course record for the women's race.
The Boston Marathon was dominated by Kenyan athletes on Monday, with outstanding victories from Sharon Lokedi in the women's race and John Kipkosgei Korir in the men's race, during this World Athletics Platinum Label event.
Sharon Lokedi delivered a top-tier performance, winning in 2:17:22, breaking the previous course record by 2 minutes and 37 seconds.
Lokedi, who had already won the New York Marathon in 2022, held off the two-time defending champion, Hellen Obiri, who finished second in 2:17:41. Ethiopia's Yalemzerf Yehualaw completed the podium in 2:18:06.
In the men's race, John Korir confirmed his favorite status by crossing the finish line in 2:04:45, the second-best time ever on this course.
Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu (2:05:04) and Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut (2:05:04) rounded out the podium.
The women's race was intense from the start, with a group of 15 athletes setting a fast pace. Lokedi and Obiri eventually broke away in the final kilometers, delivering an intense battle until the final sprint.
In the men's race, Korir made his move after the 32-kilometer mark, creating a decisive gap to win comfortably. The depth of the field was notable in this edition, with five runners finishing under 2:06 and twelve under 2:09, setting a record for Boston.
This Kenyan double, praised by observers, confirms East Africa's dominance in the world’s major marathons and adds another historic chapter to the world’s oldest annual marathon.
