John Korir and Sharon Lokedi defended their titles at the Boston Marathon 2026 on Monday, setting new records and celebrating a Kenyan triumph. Korir won the men's race in 2:01:52, while Lokedi claimed the women's crown in 2:18:51.
John Korir displayed his prowess in the men's Boston Marathon 2026, crossing the finish line in a new record time of 2:01:52. He accelerated at Heartbreak Hill to overtake Ethiopia's Milkesa Mengesha, breaking Geoffrey Mutai's 2011 course record of 2:03:02 and improving his personal best.
Tanzania's Alphonce Simbu finished second in 2:02:47, with Benson Kipruto third in 2:02:50. Korir is now the fastest marathon runner worldwide this year.
In the women's race, Sharon Lokedi defended her title with 2:18:51, surging ahead in the Newton hills to break away from the lead pack. Loice Chemnung took second in 2:19:35, Mary Ngugi-Cooper third in 2:20:07, and Mercy Chelangat fourth, giving Kenya the top four spots.
President William Ruto and Sports Minister Salim Mvurya led the celebrations for these achievements, the first title defenses at Boston since 1996. The race is the second in the World Marathon Majors (WMM) series after Tokyo, though Boston's roads do not qualify for official world records.
Korir earned Sh25,830,000 (USD 200,000) and Lokedi Sh19,372,500 (USD 150,000).
