2021 New York City Marathon champion Albert Korir, has withdrawn from the Boston Marathon due to a last-minute injury. The Kenyan runner announced his withdrawal due to a severe ankle sprain suffered in final training.
In a statement shared on social media and later reported by Citius Mag, Korir expressed his disappointment.,
“It’s with pain in my heart (and ankle) that I won’t be competing in Boston on Monday.”
“The hard work has been put into it, but unfortunately, I badly twisted my ankle last Saturday during my last fartlek,” he revealed.
Korir stressed that running Boston demands full fitness; racing injured could risk his career.
“Being in Boston and competing with the best is only possible when you’re 100% physically okay,” he stated.
Korir finished 6th in 2022 (2:08:50), 4th in 2023 (2:08:01), and 5th in 2024 (2:07:47).
With Korir out, the competition intensifies among the remaining elite runners. Defending champion Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia now faces fewer obstacles in his quest for back-to-back wins. Lemma recovered from his 2024 hamstring injury, recently posting a swift 60:19 half-marathon time.
Another major threat is Evans Chebet, the two-time Boston Marathon winner (2022, 2023). Chebet has been a dominant force in major marathons, securing a podium finish in Boston last year and a second-place finish in New York. A victory in 2025 would solidify his status as one of the world’s top marathoners.
American hopes rest on Conner Mantz and Clayton Young, who have consistently battled for supremacy in U.S. marathons. Mantz, the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials winner, and Young, the runner-up, bring fierce competition to the course. Additionally, CJ Albertson and Zach Panning add depth to the American contingent, ensuring an exciting race for home fans.
On the women’s side, Hellen Obiri seeks to make history by becoming the first woman since 2005 to win three consecutive Boston Marathon titles. The Kenyan star, victorious in 2023 and 2024, faces stiff competition from a stacked field.
Ethiopia’s Amane Beriso, the 2023 NYC Marathon champion and the fifth-fastest woman in history (2:14:58), poses a serious challenge. Sharon Lokedi, the 2022 NYC winner, and Yalemzerf Yehualaw, the Amsterdam Marathon record-holder, add further depth to the race.
The event will take place on Monday, April 21.