Kenyan pair repeat at Boston Marathon; John Korir breaks course record

Field Level MediaField Level Media|published: Mon 20th April, 12:47 2026
John Korir wins 2026 Boston MarathonBoston Marathon - Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. - April 20, 2026 Kenya's John Korir crosses the finish line to win the men's elite race REUTERS/Cj Gunther

John Korir of Kenya won his second straight Boston Marathon on Monday morning, setting a course record in the 130th edition of the race with a time of 2:01:52.

Korir, 29, took the lead just before the 20-mile mark, gradually building his advantage and finishing 55 seconds ahead of Alphonce Simbo of Tanzania. Benson Kipruto of Kenya, the 2021 winner, finished third.

Korir, whose brother Wesley also won the Boston Marathon in 2012, broke Geoffrey Mutai's 2011 course record by 70 seconds. He is just the second man since 2008 to win back-to-back Boston Marathons, joining countryman Evans Chebet (2022-23).


Kenya's Sharon Lokedi, 32, also repeated as Boston Marathon champion on the women's side, finishing in a time of 2:18:51, 89 seconds slower than the course record she set in 2025. Kenya's Loice Chemnung finished second, 44 seconds back.

Zouhair Talbi, a Moroccan-born runner now representing the U.S., was the top American finisher in the men's race. He was fifth overall with a time of 2:03:45, breaking his previous personal record by two minutes on the nose.

Jess McClain, the top American woman, also came in fifth with a time of 2:20:49, a new personal best by nearly two minutes.

--Field Level Media

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