Korir, Lokedi Defend Boston Titles, Korir Sets Record

Kenyan runners John Korir and Sharon Lokedi defended their titles at the 130th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 20, 2026, with both delivering standout performances aided by ideal conditions on the 26.2-mile course from Hopkinton to Copley Square in Boston.

Korir shattered the men's course record with a time of 2 hours, 1 minute, 52 seconds, the fifth-fastest marathon ever and 70 seconds quicker than Geoffrey Mutai's 2011 mark of 2:03:02. The 29-year-old broke away from the pack near Heartbreak Hill around the 20-mile mark, building a lead of up to 40 seconds. He crossed the finish line alone on Boylston Street, learning of his record only afterward from Boston Athletic Association President Jack Fleming. "When they told me I had run the course record, that's when I started to be happy," Korir said. "I knew I would defend my title. But I didn't know I could run that fast." Alphonce Felix Simbu of Tanzania finished second in 2:02:47, and Benson Kipruto of Kenya was third in 2:02:50; both times also beat the prior record.

In the women's race, Lokedi clocked 2:18:51, the second-fastest winning time in Boston history behind her own 2025 course record of 2:17:22. The 32-year-old...