Hellen Obiri, is the only woman to secure world titles indoors, outdoors, and in cross country. The iconic race is set for Monday April 21. It will also be marking its 129th edition, mantaining itself as a World Class Platinum Label event.
Though Hellen Obiri admitted the race will be tough, she has expressed her confidence in winning the race, aiming to become the first woman since Fatuma Roba in 1999 to clinch the three straight victories.
“Defending a win is never easy, and to win the Boston Marathon twice in a row was hard, but I am happy to have done it,” Obiri said. “On race day I will again push for the win and hope to make it three in a row.”
However, Hellen Obiri faces a formidable women’s field, with six competitors boasting sub-2:20 personal bests. Chief among them is world champion Amane Beriso, who set her Personal Best at 2:14:58 and finished runner-up in Boston last year. Beriso’s compatriot, Yalemzerf Yehualaw, the 2022 London Marathon champion, also lines up as a contender.
Morever, Kenya fields a strong team, including two-time Boston champion Edna Kiplagat, 2022 New York winner Sharon Lokedi, Hamburg champion Irene Cheptai, and 2012 Boston champion Sharon Cherop. The U.S. challenge is led by former North American record-holder Keira D’Amato, joined by Emma Bates, Sara Vaughn, Sara Hall, and 2018 winner Desiree Linden.
Men`s Category
Meanwhile, on the men`s category Sisay Lemma will be part of those participating in the marathon. Lemma fresh off his 2024 triump and with na personal best of 2:01.48 from valencia returns as the fastest entrant and the fourth- fastest marathoner in history. He also expressd his determination,
“I was very happy after winning the Boston Marathon last year, and in 2025 I know it will be an even bigger challenge to win again,” Lemma stated. He missed the Paris Olympics due to injury but has declared himself fully fit for Boston, calling it “a special event.”
The men’s field is stacked four of last year’s top seven finishers return. They include two-time winner Evans Chebet and Chicago champion John Korir, who holds a 2:02:44 Personal Best. Berlin Marathon podium finishers Cybrian Kotut and Haymanot Alew, both with sub-2:04 bests, add depth. World champion Victor Kiplangat seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win in Boston, while two-time world 5000m champion Muktar Edris makes his marathon debut.
Other elite names include two-time Boston winner Lelisa Desisa, Kenya’s Daniel Mateiko and Abel Kipchumba, Tanzania’s Alphonce Felix Simbu, Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana, and Ethiopia’s Yemane Haileselassie.
The 2025 Boston Marathon stands as one of the world’s premier road races, recognised for its deep elite fields and storied history. This year’s edition promises fierce competition and the potential for history-making performances as defending champions Hellen Obiri and Lemma return to defend their crowns against some of the fastest marathoners on the world.