Defending champions John Korir and Sharon Lokedi completed a Kenyan double at the Boston Marathon on Monday, both delivering measured performances to secure back-to-back victories in the 130th edition of the race.
Korir took advantage of favourable conditions to claim the fourth marathon win of his career, winning the men’s race in a new course record.
The 29-year-old bided his time before pulling away from Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha after 20 miles to finish in 2:01:52.
Korir’s winning time eclipsed the previous course record of 2:03:02 set by Geoffrey Mutai in 2011.
Tanzania’s world champion Alphonce Simbu finished second in 2:02:47, sprinting past Kenya’s Benson Kipruto on the closing straight.
Korir’s second Boston title follows his victories at the Chicago Marathon in 2024 and the Valencia Marathon in December.
Korir’s win in the men’s race was matched by Lokedi in the women’s elite event, who clocked 2:18:51.
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The 32-year-old secured the third major marathon victory of her career after emerging from a lead pack over the final six miles.
Lokedi broke clear after 21.7 miles with compatriots Loice Chemnung and Irine Cheptai alongside her, and then extended her lead to eight seconds over Chemnung at the 23-mile mark.
She maintained her advantage over the closing stages, leading by 33 seconds heading into the final mile, before pulling clear to secure her third major marathon title after wins in New York in 2022 and Boston in 2025.
Chemnung finished 44 seconds behind in second place, with Mary Ngugi-Cooper third in 2:20:07.
Published on Apr 20, 2026
