Kenyan duo John Korir and Sharon Lokedi Monday won the Boston Marathon, successfully defending their respective titles and securing a one-two finish.
In the men’s Boston Marathon, John Korir won in 2 hours 1 minute 52 seconds, setting a new record.
He made the difference on the climb up Heartbreak Hill, where he pulled away from Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha before extending his lead all the way to the finish line.
Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu took second place in 2 hours 2 minutes 47 seconds, ahead of Kenya’s Benson Kipruto, who finished third in 2 hours 2 minutes 50 seconds.
The top three thus all finished under the previous record. Korir confirmed his winning streak in the marathon, which began in 2024.
In the women’s race, Sharon Lokedi also retained her title by winning in 2 hours 18 minutes 51 seconds, after a decisive surge in the final kilometres. She finished ahead of her compatriot Loice Chemnung (2 hours 19 minutes 35 seconds) and Mary Ngugi-Cooper (2 hours 20 minutes 07 seconds), also from Kenya.
The women’s race was marked by a gradual breakaway, with a leading trio forming after the Newton Hills. According to World Athletics, Lokedi launched a decisive attack in the final kilometres to open up a decisive gap and clock one of the fastest times in the history of the event.
Several athletes also posted fast times, although these are not recognised as personal bests due to the course conditions.
SS/te/Sf/fss/as/APA