Sharon Lokedi stormed to a course-record win, denying Hellen Obiri a historic three-peat, while John Korir etched his name into family and global marathon history with a resounding victory in the men’s race.
Lokedi, who came second in last year’s edition, delivered a career-defining performance on the streets of Boston, surging past Obiri in the final stretch to win in a blistering 2:17:22. She obliterated the previous course best of 2:19:59 set by Buzunesh Deba of Ethiopia in 2014.
Lokedi and Obiri had run shoulder to shoulder through the punishing Newton Hills after a scorching first half split of 68 minutes. But with the finish line drawing closer, Lokedi summoned a decisive final kick that Obiri simply could not match.
“It feels so good, so great. I can’t believe it, I’m so excited,” Lokedi exclaimed at the finish.
“We went through half way in 68 minutes and I thought ‘that’s so fast’, but we hadn’t got to the hills yet… today I put it out there and I wanted to fight until the end. We all wanted it so bad.”
The win marks Lokedi’s second major marathon victory after triumphing in the 2022 New York City Marathon on her debut.
For Hellen Obiri, the defeat was a hard-fought one. Finishing just 19 seconds behind, she was aiming to become the first woman since Ethiopia’s Fatuma Roba (1997–1999) to win Boston three years in a row. Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw was third in 2:18:06.
On the men’s side, 28-year-old John Korir claim his first Boston title in 2:04:45. Korir’s win is more than just personal triumph — it is a poetic continuation of a family legacy. His older brother, Wesley Korir, won the Boston Marathon in 2012.
“I am the fastest in the family. He had the title in the family, but now I have it too,” Korir said post-race.
This latest win adds to Korir’s rising star status, following his 2024 Chicago Marathon victory, where he became the eighth fastest marathoner in history with a personal best of 2:02:44.
Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu put in a valiant effort to finish second, just 19 seconds behind Korir, while Kenya’s Cyprian Kotut narrowly lost out in a sprint finish for third. American Conner Mantz was a strong presence throughout but missed the podium, placing fourth.
Defending champion Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia was unable to keep pace, dropping out of contention after the 17th mile and later seen leaning against the roadside barriers.
Leading results
Women
1 Sharon Lokedi (KEN) 2:17:22
2 Hellen Obiri (KEN) 2:17:41
3 Yalemzerf Yehualaw (ETH) 2:18:06
4 Irine Cheptai (KEN) 2:21:32
5 Amane Beriso (ETH) 2:21:58
6 Calli Thackery (GBR) 2:22:38
7 Jess McClain (USA) 2:22:43
8 Annie Frisbie (USA) 2:23:21
9 Stacy Ndiwa (KEN) 2:23:29
10 Tsige Haileslase (ETH) 2:23:43
Men
1 John Kipkosgei Korir (KEN) 2:04:45
2 Alphonce Felix Simbu (TAN) 2:05:04
3 Cybrian Kotut (KEN) 2:05:04
4 Conner Mantz (USA) 2:05:08
5 Muktar Edris (ETH) 2:05:59
6 Rory Linkletter (CAN) 2:07:02
7 Clayton Young (USA) 2:07:04
8 Tebello Ramakongoana (LES) 2:07:19
9 Daniel Mateiko (KEN) 2:07:52
10 Ryan Ford (USA) 2:08:00
