Fans will be treated to mouth-watering contests when some of the world’s finest distance runners compete in the 130th edition of the Boston Marathon today at 4 pm (Kenyan time).
Boston Marathon is the second race in the Abbott World Marathon Majors (WMM), a series featuring seven of the world’s most prestigious races across the globe, including the traditional six - Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York - and Sydney Marathon.
John Korir celebrates after winning the 2025 Boston Marathon on April 21, 2025.
Photo credit: Reuters
The season started in Tokyo on March 1, 2026 and continues today in Boston. The next race in the series will be London Marathon programmed for April 26. The 2026 WMM series will conclude in New York on November 1. The Shanghai Marathon will be held on December 6, 2026, as a candidate event.
Boston Marathon has attracted elite fields in both the men’s and women’s categories, among them defending champions John Korir and Sharon Lokedi.
Korir faces 2021 winner Benson Kipruto and a host of top runners in the men’s race. Korir boasts an impressive personal best of 2hours, 02 minutes and 24 seconds, which he clocked in 2025 Valencia Marathon. He is also the second fastest athlete in the field. Before leaving for Boston last week, Korir, who is based in Cherangany in Trans-Nzoia County, spoke of the difficulty of attempting a personal best time in the punishing Boston Marathon course.
“I’m obviously better prepared for this year’s race. My body feels better than it did before the Valencia Marathon. The main thing here is to run and win because the (Boston) course is difficult, and I can’t say I will be aiming at running my personal best time,” Korir said on Thursday.
“Being the defending champion, all the athletes are always watching your moves for the slightest hint as to when you are going to strike. The rich field in the race means it will be very competitive. I will do my best,” said Korir.
Kenya's John Korir celebrates after winning the Valencia Marathon on December 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Pablo Morano | Reuters
Also, returning to Boston Marathon after a brilliant show in 2021 is Benson Kipruto, who is eyeing another title after triumphing at the 2025 New York City Marathon.
Kipruto is the fastest in the field with a personal best of 2:02:16 which he clocked at the 2024 Tokyo Marathon. He has been training at the 2Running Athletics Club in Kapsabet, Nandi County.
Kenya's Sharon Lokedi crosses the finish line to win the women's elite race at the 129th Boston Marathon on April 21, 2025.
Photo credit: Reuters
Kipruto’s training mate, Cybrian Kotut (2:03:22), Alex Masai (2:04:37), Bernard Biwott (2:05:25), Kennedy Kimutai (2:05:27) and Nicholas Kipkorir, who will make his debut in Boston, complete the Kenyan contingent.
“I’m happy to be back in Boston, and I am looking forward to running a good race on Monday. Boston Marathon course is tough. My body has recovered well since competing in New York City Marathon last year,” said Kipruto.
Lokedi, the reigning women’s champion, has a personal best of 2:17:22, which is also a course record in Boston Marathon. She registered the time while winning the race last year ahead of her compatriot Hellen Obiri. Obiri opted out of this year’s race in favour of London Marathon, which will be run next Sunday.
Kenya's John Korir crosses the finish line to win the men's category in Boston Marathon on April 21, 2025.
Photo credit: Reuters
Lokedi comes up against her compatriots Irene Cheptai (2:17:51), who finished fourth last year, Loice Chemnung (2:18:24), Mary Ngugi (2:19:26) and Mercy Chelangat (2:23:33).
The others are 2025 Hamburg Marathon champion Workenesh Edesa, 2025 Dubai Marathon champion Bedatu Hirpa and Fikrte Wereta (2:21:32), all from Ethiopia.
