John Korir ran a stunning course record time to defend his Boston Marathon title at the start of a huge week for marathon racing and the majors.
With the 2026 London Marathon following in just six days’ time, Korir laid down a marker to the rest of the world’s best runners as he became just the fifth athlete to dip under two hours and two minutes despite a notoriously hard course. In perfect conditions on the Massachusetts roads, the Kenyan looked unstoppable as he prevailed by a distance from Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu and fellow Kenyan Benson Kipruto, who contested a tough battle for silver. In the women’s race, Sharon Lokedi matched Korir in defending her title with a trademark powerful performance in the final kilometres of the race, with no athlete able to follow her.
The supreme Swiss racer Marcel Hug secured more glory in the men’s wheelchair race, while Great Britain’s Eden Rainbow-Cooper was back to her best to win the women’s wheelchair event for a second time. The build-up to the race had featured controversy and debate over a Nike advert in the city, which was ultimately pulled following backlash from some runners.
Follow all the latest updates, times and analysis throughout the day in Boston:
Boston Marathon 2026 results as John Korir breaks course record
John Korir defended his men’s title at the 2026 Boston Marathon as the Kenyan shattered the course record to become only the fifth man to dip under two hours and two minutes over the distance.
Korir was second at the half-way stage in 1:01:50, seven seconds behind Lemi Berhanu, but the defending champion made a push for the lead after 20 miles and grabbed control of the elite men’s race, surging clear of his rivals to eventually clock a time of 02:01:52 – more than a minute better than the previous best in Boston.
In the women’s race, Sharon Lokedi again proved untouchable as the Kenyan defended her title. Lokedi finished fast to power away from a bunched field and win by a distance, though outside of the course record time set in 2025.
Sharon Lokedi wins back-to-back Boston Marathons
1st Sharon Lokedi 2:18:51
2nd Loice Chemnung 2:19:35
3rd Mary Ngugi-Cooper 2:20:07
Sharon Lokedi claims back-to-back title
Back-to-back! Sharon Lokedi is a two-time Boston Marathon winner, untouchable again on the hills of Massachusetts.
Around the final bend…
…and into the last straight for Sharon Lokedi, flying home.
Sharon Lokedi nears finish
A few deep gulps of fluid as Sharon Lokedi takes the final significant rise and strides towards the city centre. A slow enough start, comparatively, means she won’t threaten her record from last year but this has been another well-measured romp to victory.
Boston Marathon closing kilometres
Off come the accoutrements for Sharon Lokedi, the headband following the armband on to the floor behind her as she rids herself of unwanted garments. Loice Chemnung looks strong for second behind her, but that is all it will be.
Sharon Lokedi surges clear
It’s an eight-second lead at the 23-mile mark for Sharon Lokedi, and that is growing all the time. Put a fork in this one – it’s done.
Sharon Lokedi hits the front in the women’s race
Could it be back-to-back winners in the women’s race, too? Sharon Lokedi has hit the front, with only Loice Chemnung able to remotely stay with her, and starting to struggle. Lokedi is just so strong as it goes deeper.
John Korir defends Boston Marathon title
02:01:52 – and John Korir still has the energy to leap up and down as he sees the time. A stunning run, and time, on a difficult course. Could he yet have a real go at the world record?
Alphonce Simbu just pipped Benson Kipruto for silver, with all of the top three inside the previous course record. Korir earns an extra $50k for taking that.
1st: John Korir (Kenya) 02:01:52
2nd: Alphonce Simbu (Tanzania) 2:02:47
3rd: Benson Kipruto (Kenya) 02:02:50
