Returning Champions and Elite Competition

The 130th Boston Marathon is set to commence this Monday, featuring a highly competitive roster of distance runners. The event will see both defending champions, Sharon Lokedi and John Korir, return to the course as they attempt to secure consecutive victories in the women’s and men’s categories.

Lokedi, who established a new course record last year with a time of 2:17:22, remains a top favorite. However, she faces stiff opposition from fellow Kenyan runners Irine Cheptai and Loice Chemnung. Additionally, Ethiopian athletes Workenesh Edesa and Bedatu Hirpa enter the race with impressive personal records, making them serious threats to the title.


American Hopes in the Women's Division

In the women's race, Emily Sisson emerges as the strongest American contender. Having finished second at the 2022 Chicago Marathon with a national record of 2:18:29, Sisson is widely considered the best hope for a U.S. podium finish as she makes her Boston debut. Notably, some top competitors, including 2025 New York Marathon winner Hellen Obiri, have chosen to bypass Boston in favor of the London Marathon, which takes place on the same weekend.


Men's Field and the American Challenge

Defending champion John Korir is aiming for a repeat victory, supported by a strong track record. While he won last year with a time of 2:04:45, he faces intense pressure from fellow Kenyan Benson Kipruto, both of whom have proven capabilities to run sub-2:03 marathons. Other notable competitors returning to the course include Alphonce Felix Simbu from Tanzania and Cyprian Kotut of Kenya, who shared the runner-up spot in the previous edition.

The outlook for American men changed following the withdrawal of Conner Mantz, who finished fourth last year. Consequently, focus has shifted to Galen Rupp. As the most recent American to secure a top-three finish in a major marathon—taking third in Chicago in 2021—Rupp represents the primary hope for the United States on Monday.


Event Details

The race schedule is as follows:

  • Start Time: 9:00 a.m. ET
  • Order of Competition: Women’s race followed by the men’s race.