As more than 30,000 runners made their way from Hopkinton, Massachusetts to Boyleston Street in downtown Boston for the 129th Boston Marathon, Kenyans living in the diaspora were not left behind.
In line with nostalgia of the event, Kenyan patriots living in the US congregated in Boston two days earlier, on Saturday April 19, to support their marathoners.
Some of the elite runners who took part were two-time Boston Marathon champion Helen Obiri, 2017 Boston Marathon winner Edna Kiplagat and 2024 Chicago Marathon champion John Korir.
Kenya's John Korir crosses the finish line to win the men's elite race at the 129th Boston Marathon on April 21, 2025.
Photo credit: Reuters
Kenya's Sharon Lokedi crosses the line to win the women's elite race at the 129th Boston Marathon on April 21, 2025.
Photo credit: Reuters
At the Saturday event, the elite runners mingled freely with Kenyans. Diasporans partook sumptuous fillings of samosas, chapati, pilau, ugali, beef and goat stew in a nostalgic treat.
Helen Obiri — who previously won the Boston Marathon back-to-back — was looking to add another feather to her cap. She had also won the New York Marathon in 2023 and second place in 2024. She thanked Kenyans, including those in Boston, for their support.
“I'm in good spirits and I'm confident of winning the Boston Marathon and completing the three-peat. My training in Boulder, Colorado has gone well and I am ready! I’m grateful for the love and support the Kenyan diasporans in Boston have shown to me and the other runners”.
On her part, Ms Kiplagat graced the event with her two children. The trio were in Boston from Boulder, Colorado.
The 2017 Boston Marathon winner stated: “I am glad to be in Boston with my family and to participate in this difficult marathon. I thank Kenyans in the diaspora for their support”.
At 39, Ms Kiplagat was second place at the Boston Marathon in 2019. She followed this up with a fourth place finish at the World Athletics Championships. In 2021, two years older at 41, she won the Boston Marathon. In doing so, she became the oldest participant to win a World Marathon Major.
Lastly, the indefatigable talent of John Korir is undeniable. He excited diasporans in Boston with his beaming smile and amiable personality.
His brother, Wesley Korir, won the Boston Marathon in 2013.
Mr Korir stated: "I'm rested and confident of a good performance in Boston. My training and preparations have been going on well and I'm sure I'll repeat my brother Wesley's performance of over a decade ago"
Kenyans in Boston had expressed excitement at the prospect of a Kenyan sweep of both the men’s and women’s elite races. They were right as days later, Mr Korir and Ms Lokedi would go on to do just that.
Haron Langat, a Kenyan athletics coach in the US, said: “I'm especially confident John Korir will perform well in the Boston Marathon and win it”.
He added: "I feel this is not only because of his talent, but also due to footwear technology that has greatly enhanced the capacity of marathoners to post good times".
Another Kenyan present, Josphat Lowoi, who is a commodities trader in New York, came to Boston to support the Kenyan marathoners.
“There is a high likelihood of a good performance from the Kenyan athletes given the amount of training and preparation,” he said.
Prize money for this year’s edition of the Boston Marathon is colossal. The winner of the Men’s and Women’s categories takes home $150,000 (Sh20 million), 2nd place $75,000 (Sh10 million) and third place $40,000 (Sh5 million). There is also an additional course record bonus of $50,000 (Sh6.5 million).
To get these cash rewards, the runners contended with fierce competition from formidable Ethiopian stars. For the women, these included 2022 Valencia Marathon champion Amane Beriso, 2024 Amsterdam Marathon winner Yalemzerf Yehualaw, and Kenya’s very own Irene Cheptai, who was the 2024 Chicago Marathon winner. For the men, they faced 2023 Dubai Marathon champ Lelisa Desisa and 2024 Amsterdam Marathon winner Asefa Boki.
The social event was organised by the Kenya Scholar Access Program (KenSAP), a non-profit that helps high achieving, low income Kenyan high school graduates gain admission to highly selective colleges and universities in North America with full financial aid cover.
