Obiri, Chebet on parade in star-studded Boston Marathon field

Organisers of the race have assembled a world-class field of athletes will fight for a share of the Sh91,420,875 total prize fund on offer in men and women’s races.

Winners in both men and women categories will pocket Sh19,455,000 ($150,000), with the second-placed finisher bagging a total of Sh.9,725,625 ($75,000). Third-placed athletes will pocket Sh5,187,000. Prize money trickles down to the 10th position, and there is also a course record bonus of Sh6,483,750.

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The WMM is a series of seven of the toughest and most prestigious marathon races globally. They are Boston Marathon, Tokyo Marathon, London Marathon, Berlin Marathon, Chicago Marathon, New York City Marathon, and Sydney Marathon.

The marathon races are known for their high standards, global appeal, and strong field of elite runners, making them attractive to many marathoners.

The men’s race will start at 4.37pm (Kenyan time), and the women’s competition will start at 4.47pm. Both competitions will be flagged off at Hopkinton, Massachusetts and end on Boylston Street.

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Organisers have assembled strong fields for this year’s race, with 21 men who have run the marathon in under two hours and minutes, and 17 women who have covered the distance in under two hours and 23 minutes. 

Kenya’s Chebet has set his eyes on reclaiming the men’s title he won in the 2022, and 2023 editions of the race. Chebet, who trains in Kapsabet in Nandi County under the 2Running Athletics Club, comes up against last year’s winner Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia who triumphed in two hours, six minutes and 17 seconds ahead of his compatriot Mohamed Esa (2:06:58).

Chebet, who came third behind Lemma and Esa last year in 2:07:22, is banking on his knowledge of the course.

“I’m heading back to Boston because I seem to handle the tough course well. This year, I want to improve on my performance. I have tried flat courses before and those didn’t go down well with me, so I have fallen in love with tough courses such as Boston,” Chebet said.

Chebet’s training mate, Cyprian Kotut, will compete in his third major marathon, having finished ninth in Boston last year and second in Berlin Marathon last year. Kotut is younger brother of former London Marathon champion Martin Lel.

The other Kenyans in the men’s race are Chicago Marathon champion John Korir who was fourth in Boston last year, and Daniel Mateiko. Korir will be running to support school-going kids at Transcend Academy in Biribiret, Trans Nzoia County. His brother Wesley Korir started the school.

“My brother Wesley Korir won Boston Marathon in 2012, and it will be so nice for me to also win it. He inspires me, and he will be at the finish line waiting for me. I’m running for a purpose and I want to use part of the prize money to support students at Transcend Academy,” said Korir.

In the women's category, Kenya’s Hellen Obiri will be seeking to defend her title for the third year running, and to become the first woman to achieve three consecutive victories in the race since Fatuma Roba in 1999.

Obiri, the only woman in the field with indoor, outdoor and cross country championship titles, comes up against two-time world marathon champion Edna Kiplagat who was third in last year’s race, and Sharon Lokedi who finished second behind her.

Other Kenyan athletes in the women’s race include Irene Cheptai (2:17:51), Viola Cheptoo (2:22:44) Sharon Cherop (2:22:28), Hellen Obiri (2:23:10), Mary Ngugi (2:20:22), Stacy Ndiwa (2:23:42) and Cynthia Limo (2:25:10).

Some of the competitors from Ethiopia include Amane Beriso (2:14:58), Yalemzerf Yehualaw (2:16:52), Rahma Tusa (2:19:33), and Buze Diriba (2:20:22).