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Kenyans John Korir and Sharon Lokedi have claimed back-to-back triumphs at the 2026 Boston Marathon.
The 130th running of the oldest organised marathon in the world took over the streets of the historic New England city on Monday (20 April), with Korir recording a new course record, winning in a time of 2:01:52.
It’s the fifth-fastest men’s marathon of all time, and is the fastest in over two years, according to World Athletics.
On the women’s side, Lokedi just edged out Hellen Obiri in 2025, but was all alone this year over the final few miles, her 2:18:51 nearly a minute ahead of runner-up Loice Chemnung in second (2:19:37).
Mary Ngugi-Cooper rounded out the top three in 2:20:07, giving the Kenyans a clean sweep of the women’s podium.
It was a sprint to the finish for second in the men’s race, with Alphonce Felix Simbu just out-running Benson Kipruto, at 2:02:47 and 2:02:50, respectively.
For the Americans, Zouhair Talbi and Jess McClain finished in fifth place in their respective divisions, running 2:03:45 and 2:20:49. McClain set a new course record for the American women in Boston.
Boston marks the second stop of the World Marathon Majors series for the year, with both the men’s and women’s races featuring competitive international fields of the year.
See how the race unfolded throughout the morning in our as-it-happened section.
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2026 Boston Marathon: Sharon Lokedi credits young fan’s cheers
With the women’s lead pack still at nine runners around Mile 19, reigning champ Lokedi credited the famed Boston fans for helping propel her to victory.
“I heard this little girl yell out, ‘You got this ladies!'” a beaming Lokedi told U.S. broadcaster ESPN after her win. “It was so cute – and that’s what it’s all about.”
From there Lokedi geared up, her “be patient” approach shifting around Mile 21 as the leader group shrunk down to four. She was all alone by Mile 23, peeling off her arm sleeves and revelling in the screams of Boylston Street as she made her way towards the finish.
“It humbled me,” she said of her role as reigning champ, hearing fans scream out “SHARON!” throughout the 26.2 miles (42.19kms).
“Thank you, Boston,” she added.
Obiri had won two in a row in 2023-24, while Evans Chebet last did so on the men’s side, 2022-23.
It marks the first time both the men’s and women’s winners went back-to-back in Boston in the same years since 1994-95, when Uta Pippig and Cosmas Ndeti did so.
It’s a third World Major title for Korir (Chicago 2024), whose brother Wesley Korir won in Boston in 2012, as well. It’s a third Major for Lokedi, too, having notched the victory at the New York City Marathon back in 2022.
2026 Boston Marathon – As it happened
All times local to Boston.
12:06 – RESULT: Sharon Lokedi cruises to a third Boston title
What a win for Lokedi! Who, like Korir, goes back-to-back in Beantown. She is overjoyed, pumping her arms overhead as she crosses the line in 2:18:51.
Loice Chemnung will finish in second at 2:19:37 as Mary Ngugi-Cooper rounds out the top three in 2:20:07.
Jess McClain is the top American in fifth in 2:20:49.
Noon – Women with one mile to go
Awesome stuff from Lokedi! She was neck-and-neck with Hellen Obiri a year ago at this point, but she is all alone here and soaking in the roars from the famous Boston fans as she heads towards the finish line on Boylston Street.
11:55 – John Korir: “It was in my mind to run the course record”
John Korir is speaking with ESPN just off the finish line: “It was in my mind to run the course record,” he confirms. “I’ve fulfilled my wishes.”
He addresses having fallen near the start line last year – only to bounce back and win. There were no such troubles in 2026. “This year, I had no problems from the start to the finish,” he says, smiling. “I enjoyed this year more than last year.”
Asked about going sub-two hours on a World Marathon Major course, he shakes his head: “I’m not thinking about [that].”
11:52 – Women at Mile 23: Lokedi now clearly out front
This feels like Lokedi’s race now. She is 12 seconds clear of Chemnung in second place. Her stride and body language look super strong as she makes her way toward the 24-mile marker.
She’s peeled off her arm sleeves, throwing them to the side. It actually feels like she’s gaining steam here…
11:43 – Women at Mile 21: Lokedi heads a trio of leaders
The women’s lead pack is thinning – slowly but surely. Lokedi is trying to match Korir’s back-to-back effort, the 2025 winner still front and centre. Loice Chemnung and Irine Cheptai are with her, too.
11:39 – RESULT: John Korir claims second Boston Marathon in a row
John Korir wins! He outstretches his arms as he crosses the line in 2:01:52, which is unofficially a course record by more than a minute. He is beaming as he is greeted by members of his family and extended team.
It’s a sprint to the finish for seond. Alphonce Felix Simbu just outruns Benson Kipruto, at 2:02:47 and 2:02:50, respectively.
Zouhair Talbi will finish as the top American man in fifth place, clocking 2:03:45.
11:34 – Men with one mile to go
John Korir is going to win his second Boston Marathon in a row. He is all alone with one mile to go at 25.2 miles, some 45 seconds out front.
11:28 – Women at Mile 19: Lead pack is nine
Annie Frisbie has been joined now by eight others in the lead pack, which still includes Lokedi.
They are at 1:41:14 through 30km (18.6 miles) in Newton.
11:25 – Men at Mile 23: Korir all alone
So just 5km to go for Korir and he is looking super strong at 1:47:30. He’s nearing the heart of Boston now and the crowds are packed for him.
It’s a 33-second edge at Mile 23 over Benson Kipruto and Alphonce Felix Simbu.
11:17 – Men at Mile 21: Korir widening his lead
So it’s now a 22-second cushion for Korir, who is looking to become the first repeat champion here since his Kenyan compatriot Evans Chebet did it in 2022-23.
1:38:32 through 21 miles, which is a 2:02:44 pace. That threatens the course record of 2:03:02, which belongs to another Kenyan in Geoffrey Mutai, in 2011.
11:14 – Lokedi still tucked into lead pack
It’s a big group of women’s leaders – with American Annie Frisbie out in front. They’re on pace for about a 2:22:19 finish.
Last year it was Sharon Lokedi who won in a record time, 2:17:22. So they’re just about two minutes off that record pace… but Lokedi is tucked into this pack and not appearing to force the issue – just yet.
And now Frisbie who is out in front alone… about 10 paces in front of the pack. She was eighth here a year ago.
11:10 – Men at Mile 20: Korir makes his move!
Oh wow. Korir, the reigning champ, not only reels in Mengesha but speeds past him just shy of the 20-mile mark. Mengesha can’t go with him and it’s Korir who will lead this race as it hits its final miles.
Three other men have chased down Mengesha, including the top American in Zouhair Talbi.
11:03 – Men at Mile 18: Mengesha has really gone out on his own
OK we have our first big move in the men’s race, as Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha has broken away from the lead pack and has about a 10-second edge on the about eight who are chasing him.
Mengesha won the Berlin Marathon in 2024 and just celebrated his 26th birthday last Thursday (16 April).
10:56 – Women at Mile 12: Top runners greeted by huge roars in “Scream Tunnel”
About 18 women in this lead pack, including Sharon Lokedi, the 2025 champion. Big smiles are spreading across the faces of these leaders as they are showered with huge roars from sign-holding fans just off course.
10:42 – Men at halfway mark
It’s still crowded out front for the men, and that includes reigning champion John Korir. They’re at a respectable 1:01:43.
10:40 – Wheelchair: Eden Rainbow-Cooper claims second win
Great Britain’s Eden Rainbow-Cooper has a second win at this marathon, having become her country’s first to do so here in 2024. She races in 1:30:51 and is about two minutes ahead of Catherine Debrunner.
“It’s amazing to come back and do it again,” Rainbow-Cooper says. “For me, it… it means a lot to me. [Boston] feels like home; it feels like family. Every time I come here there is a little piece of me stays.”
10:22 – Wheelchair: Marcel Hug captures ninth Boston Marathon title in 1:16:05
Switzerland’s superstar Marcel Hug has claimed the men’s wheelchair crown just off record pace (1:15:33). The win marks his ninth victory in Boston and – can you believe it? – 47th Abbott Marathon Major.
“It was such a fantastic race,” Hug says on American broadcaster ESPN. “I felt good from the beginning. I was surprised that I was alone [so early] and then… it was a race against the clock. I pushed really hard.”
10:03 – Women: Trio of Americans out front
Sara Hall and Susanna Sullivan are out front for the women, with Kodi Klein along their side. They clock a 16:43 over the first 5kms.
09:51 – Men: Rory Linkletter, Hendrik Pfeiffer lead at 5k mark
It’s a big pack for the men out front at the 5km mark, with the Canadian Linkletter and a sunglasses-clad Pfeiffer, the German, cutting into a slight breeze out in front. American CJ Albertson is there, too. The top 10 are all within just a few seconds of each other.
09:47 – Women’s elite begins
Just a few minutes after the men have started it’s the women’s turn, with Des Linden, the 2018 Boston Marathon champion – and last American woman to win – firing off the starting gun.
09:37 – Men’s elite underway
The men’s race is starting first and Korir is standing front and centre at the start line. It’s a chilly (6 Celsius; 43F) yet sunny morning in the western Boston suburbs, Korir beginning the race clad in gloves.
Pre-race: Fiona O’Keeffe withdraws due to torn hamstring
The American women’s field is set to be one of the strongest in years, but 2024 Olympic Team Trials winner Fiona O’Keeffe announced Sunday evening (19 April) that she was out of the race due to a torn hamstring.
READ MORE: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/boston-marathon-2026-live-updates-john-korir-sharon-lokedi-eye-back-to-back-titles
