Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi has adopted within the footsteps of compatriot Hellen Obiri, the 2023/24 champion, profitable back-to-back titles on the Boston Marathon. After setting a blistering course report of two:17:22 final yr, Lokedi returned on Monday for the a hundred and thirtieth version of the race, aiming to make the most of Obiri’s absence to defend her title; she led a top-four Kenyan sweep in 2:18:51.
Kenya’s Loice Chemnung took second in 2:19:35, whereas Mary Ngugi-Cooper secured third in 2:20:07.
Tucking in comfortably
For the primary half of the race, Lokedi hovered round 14th within the 18-woman lead pack, staying virtually out of sight. Round 30K in, she lastly took the lead, separating the highest three, together with Chemnung and Kenya’s Irene Cheptai, from the principle pack.
At 35K, it grew to become a two-woman race, with Lokedi and Chemnung pulling away. It didn’t final lengthy; Lokedi made her transfer at 37K, working 2:20 tempo, and continued to extend her lead. Within the closing few miles, she clocked a 4:35 mile, and with one km to go, she was main by greater than 30 seconds.
“It humbled me,” Lokedi mentioned post-race. “With everybody cheering for me, it simply felt so good. I stored telling myself to be affected person and humble.”
She additionally says it was fairly a change to race with out her good pal and competitor, Obiri. “It was a bit completely different,” she mentioned. “I actually want I had her right here. She texted me and mentioned, ‘I do know you are able to do it, I imagine in you. Do your factor and present them who you’re.’”
Jess McClain: prime American
For the second yr in a row, Jess McClain took the highest American spot, working 2:20:49 for fifth. The efficiency marks practically a two-minute private greatest. McClain completed seventh final yr, in her former greatest of two:22:43.
This yr’s race additionally marked one of many deepest U.S. contingents we’ve ever seen, with 10 American ladies within the top-18 lead pack for practically half of the race; 4 would find yourself within the prime 10.
Contemporary off a third-place end at Marathon des Sables, 2018 Boston Marathon champion Des Linden fired the ladies’s beginning pistol. Linden, who introduced her skilled retirement final yr, had initially been slated to run the race for the thirteenth time.
Prime 10 ladies
1. Sharon Lokedi KEN 2:18:51
2. Loice Chemnung KEN 2:19:35
3. Mary Ngugi-Cooper KEN 2:20:07
4. Mercy Chelangat KEN 2:20:30
5. Jess McClain USA 2:20:49
6. Irine Cheptai KEN 2:20:54
7. Workenesh Edesa ETH 2:21:52
8. Annie Frisbie USA 2:22:00
9. Emily Sisson USA 2:22:39
10. Carrie Ellwood USA 2:22:53
Eden Rainbow-Cooper takes her second wheelchair title
In 2024, Eden Rainbow-Cooper grew to become the primary lady from Nice Britain ever to win the ladies’s Boston title within the wheelchair division. Now, she’s finished it for the second time, breaking the tape in 1:30:51.
The efficiency improves her marathon PB (1:33:13) by practically two minutes, and betters her earlier Boston profitable time (1:35:11) by greater than 4 minutes. “Coming throughout the end line, I used to be fascinated with all of the individuals who aren’t ready to do that,” Rainbow-Cooper mentioned in a post-race interview.
Switzerland’s Catherine Debrunner, one of many favourites, took second in 1:32:59 for back-to-back runner-up finishes. Debrunner got here off an distinctive 2025 yr of racing, which included wins at each Tokyo and London. Boston is the one marathon main she hasn’t received.
Tatyana McFadden of the U.S. took third in 1:36:43.
Reigning champion Susannah Scaroni was absent from this yr’s race.
See right here for full outcomes from Boston.
John Korir smashes Boston Marathon course report with 2:01:52
