Boston Marathon results 2026: John Korir sets new course record as Sharon Lokedi retains crown

Defending champion John Korir set a new course record at the Boston Marathon as he was joined by fellow Kenyan and 2025 winner Sharon Lokedi in retaining their titles with dominant displays.

Korir crossed in 2:01:52, smashing the previous record set by Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) of 2:03:02 in 2011 – indeed, such was the pace of this race, run in perfect marathon conditions, the first three men over the line all beat the old record, with Alphonce Felix Simbu (TAN) recording a 2:02:47 and Benson Kipruto (KEN) 2:02:50.

Lokedi set a new Boston record when she won this race last year, but while she was unable to match that this time around, she was still in masterful form, as she waited patiently for the moment to attack before executing the perfect race.

An all-Kenyan top three saw Loice Chemnung finish in second (2:19:35) and Mary Ngugi-Cooper in third (2:20:07).

Part of the seven-race Abbott World Marathon Majors, a prize pot of almost $1.5m was on offer across three divisions of professional competition – open, wheelchair, and para – while there was also a $50,000 bonus up for grabs should anyone break the course record.

Here’s how the races played out…

Men’s elite race

Korir was happy to sit in the lead pack to start with, possibly looking to avoid a repeat of last year when he stumbled and fell in the early stages – a fall which made his victory all the more impressive.

The leading group, however, had an ominous look about it, with the Kenyan joined by compatriot Kipruto, Tanzanian Simbu, and Ethiopians Milkesa Mengesha and Lemi Berhanu.

Berhanu, who won in Boston way back in 2016, was the first to attempt a break from the pack as he burst away around the 20k point. However, Korir was not about to let him escape and was soon up alongside him as they clocked 61:43 at the halfway point.

John Korir retained his crown with a new course record. [Photo credit: Boston Athletic Association / Boston Marathon]

Americans Zouhair Talbi, Clayton Young and Ryan Ford played their part in the chasing pack alongside Mengesha as they slowly but surely closed the gap on the two breakaways.

Mengesha, however, was not content with simply catching the leaders, as he pressed down on the accelerator in a bid to pull himself away and create a sizeable gap. By the 18th mile, he was 18 seconds ahead, but the five-man pack behind him were never truly panicked as they kept him in their sights.

Berhanu, Talbi, Korir, Kipruto and Simbu again prevented the potential of a significant breakaway before the key moment arrived at the 30k mark when Korir decided it was time to make his own move to the front – and this time, it was decisive.

With Mengesha looking like a spent force, Korir was followed by Kipruto and Simbu, leaving everyone else in their wake.

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Just as he had done last year, Korir took control in Newton, making a surge that would decide the race and ultimately give him the new course record. As he ran into the city alone, he was cheered on by the huge crowds and crossed the tape in a time of 2:01:52 – smashing the previous course best set by Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) of 2:03:02 in 2011.

Simbu had just enough in his legs to outpace Kipruto in the final stages, crossing in 2:02:47, with Kipruto finishing in 2:02:50.

Korir said after the race: “Setting a new record was on my mind before the race, and I am happy to have done that. This year was very good, as I had no problems at the start.”

Asked whether his goal was to now break the two-hour marathon mark, he replied: “I am not thinking about that. It is not on my mind.”

Whether he is thinking about it or not, it seems the day will come soon enough.

Women’s elite race

Lokedi played a patient waiting game at the start of this race as she took up position at the heart of an 18-athlete front pack, which seemed content to stick together without anyone pulling away.

The Kenyans were well represented as Lokedi was joined by Irine Cheptai, Mercy Chelangat, Loice Chemnung and Mary Ngugi-Cooper, while the Americans were also in the hunt, with Dakotah Popehn, Kodi Kleven, Sarah Hall, Susanna Sullivan, Annie Frisbie and Jess McClain keeping up with the 5:23 pace through mile 14.

What was a group of 18 was whittled down to just nine, with McClain and Frisbie doing well to hold on to the Kenyan athletes who were starting to step up the pace and with defending champion Lokedi looking particularly ominous.

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By mile 21, the Americans had started to fall away, and a group of six were now led by Lokedi as she sensed her opportunity to make a break. As she went, she was followed by Chemnung and Cheptai, while Ngugi-Cooper was caught a little on her heels.

It was clear that Lokedi was now stepping on the gas; having been content with a 5:20 mile pace earlier in the pack, she was now pulling well clear, recording a 4:41 as she cruised through mile 22.

As with the men’s race, she had the victory sewn up well before making the turn onto Boylston Street, crossing the line in a time of 2:18:51, to defend her title.

It had looked like the battle for second would be between Cheptai and Chemnung, but Cheptai faltered badly in the closing stages and was taken by Ngugi-Cooper, Chelangat and McClain, who was the first non-Kenyan to finish in fifth, with a time of 2:20:49.