In a stunning display of speed and determination, Kenyans Sharon Lokedi and John Kipkosgei Korir surged to victory at the 129th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2025, leading another dominant performance for the East African nation on the world-renowned course. Lokedi didn’t just win; she obliterated the women’s course record, while Korir overcame adversity to join his brother as a Boston champion.
Sharon Lokedi delivered one of the most remarkable performances in Boston Marathon history. Entering the race as the previous year’s runner-up, she was locked in a fierce battle with two-time defending champion and fellow Kenyan, Hellen Obiri. The pair ran shoulder-to-shoulder through the challenging Newton hills and into the final miles, pushing a blistering pace that saw them well under course record time.
In the final kilometer, Sharon Lokedi, drawing on incredible reserves of strength, finally broke away from Obiri. She powered down Boylston Street, crossing the finish line in an astonishing 2:17:22. This phenomenal time shattered the 11-year-old course record of 2:19:59, set by Buzunesh Deba in 2014, by a massive margin of 2 minutes and 37 seconds. Lokedi’s victory denied Obiri a historic third consecutive title, with Obiri finishing second in 2:17:41, also under the previous record. Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw completed the podium in 2:18:06.
Drama for John Korir in the men’s race
The men’s race provided its own drama and historical significance. John Kipkosgei Korir, winner of the 2024 Chicago Marathon, faced an immediate challenge when he tripped and fell near the start line, briefly losing his race bib. Undeterred, the 28-year-old recovered quickly and rejoined the lead pack.
Korir made his decisive move around the 20-mile mark (32km), surging ahead of the competition, including past champion Sisay Lemma who eventually dropped out. Building an insurmountable lead, Korir ran solo towards the finish, breaking the tape in a commanding 2:04:45 – the second-fastest winning time ever recorded in Boston, behind only Geoffrey Mutai’s 2:03:02 from 2011.
His victory was made even more special as his older brother, Wesley Korir, who won the Boston title in 2012, was waiting at the finish line to embrace him. They become the first pair of brothers ever to win the Boston Marathon. Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu (2:05:04) narrowly edged out Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut (2:05:04) in a sprint finish for second place.
Monday in Boston was a day etched into the marathon’s history books, marked by Sharon Lokedi’s breathtaking record run and John Korir’s resilient and dominant performance, reinforcing Kenya’s unparalleled legacy in long-distance running.
It was a joyful day in Kenya’s history in the marathon competition as Sharon Lokedi and John Korir ensured that they got into the history books.
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