2026 Boston Marathon: Kenya’s stars speak ahead of historic race
The 130th edition of the Boston Marathon will take place this Monday, April 20, 2026. The event will see an elite field of Kenyans take to the course, hoping to break the 15-year-old record of 2:03:02 set by Geoffrey Mutai in 2011.
Leading the field are John Korir and Sharon Lokedi. All three podium finishers from last year’s men’s race return for another fierce battle: defending champion John Korir, runner-up and 2025 World Championships gold medallist Alphonce Felix Simbu, and third-place finisher Cybrian Kotut of Kenya.
Run it back
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In the women’s race, Sharon Lokedi, who set a new course record of 2:17:22, returns to defend her title.
“Boston in 2025 was beyond expectations. Breaking the course record, earning a victory, and racing against some of the best women in the world made it a career highlight,” said Lokedi. “We are already training hard to run it back in 2026,” Lokedi said.
Lokedi built on that success with a second-place finish at the 2025 New York City Marathon.
Men’s title defense
Last year, Korir finished with a blazing time of 2:04:45 in a rare show of grit, getting back up after a fall to outrun the ghosts of a near-disaster. Today, April 20, 2026, he returns to the same course to defend his title.
The task is daunting. Along with Simbu and Kotut, the list includes Nicholas Kipkorir and an Ethiopian trio of Mohamed Esa, Lemi Berhanu Hayle (2:04:33), and Hailemaryam Kiros (2:04:35).
Korir enters the race in fine form following his Valencia Marathon win on December 7, 2025, where he clocked a personal best of 2:02:25. That feat ranks him as the third-fastest marathoner in the world behind Sabastian Sawe and Jacob Kiplimo.
“Last year’s race was a very meaningful win for my family and me, and I look forward to coming back to Boston again,” Korir told organizers. “I aim to finish first and run fast again.”
Strong international field
The pair faces a tough challenge against what B.A.A. President and CEO Jack Fleming describes as one of the strongest fields of international and American stars in the race’s history.
Lokedi’s blistering 2:17:22 last April shaved more than two minutes and 30 seconds off the prior course record (2:19:59). Meanwhile, Cybrian Kotut is looking for redemption in his third appearance.
“This will be my third time in Boston. The first time was tough, and I didn’t have the experience. Last year I was in position three, and if possible, I want to win,” Kotut said.
Making his full marathon debut is Nicholas Kipkorir, who expressed optimism about his transition from the half-marathon.
“This will be my full marathon debut. I am hopeful of a good race to start my career. I am moving from the half to the full marathon, and I hope to get off to a good start,” he posited.
The men’s race kicks off at 4:30 pm. with the women set to follow a few minutes later.
