Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi has adopted within the footsteps of compatriot Hellen Obirithe 2023/24 champion, successful back-to-back titles at this 12 months’s Boston Marathon. After setting a blistering course document of two:17:22 final 12 months, Lokedi returned on Monday for the one hundred and thirtieth version of the race, aiming to reap the benefits of Obiri’s absence to defend her title; she led a top-four Kenyan sweep in 2:18:51.
Kenya’s Loice Chemnung took second in 2:19:35, whereas Mary Ngugi-Cooper secured third in 2:20:07.
Tucking in comfortably
For the primary half of the race, Lokedi hovered round 14th within the 18-woman lead pack, staying virtually out of sight. Round 30K in, she lastly took the lead, separating the highest three, together with Chemnung and Kenya’s Irene Cheptaifrom the principle pack.
At 35K, it turned a two-woman race, with Lokedi and Chemnung pulling away. It didn’t final lengthy; Lokedi made her transfer at 37K, working 2:20 tempo, and continued to extend her lead. Within the ultimate few miles, she clocked a 4:35 mile, and with one km to go, she was main by greater than 30 seconds.
“It humbled me,” Lokedi stated post-race. “With everybody cheering for me, it simply felt so good. I saved telling myself to be affected person and humble.”
She additionally says it was fairly a change to race with out her good buddy and competitor, Obiri. “It was a bit totally different,” she stated. “I actually want I had her right here. She texted me and stated, ‘I do know you are able to do it, I consider in you. Do your factor and present them who you might be.’”
Jess McClain: high American
For the second 12 months in a row, Jess McClain took the highest American spot, working 2:20:49 for fifth. The efficiency marks practically a two-minute private greatest. McClain completed seventh final 12 months, in her former greatest of two:22:43.
This 12 months’s race additionally marked one of many deepest U.S. contingents we’ve ever seen, with 10 American girls within the top-18 lead pack for practically half of the race; 4 would find yourself within the high 10.
Recent off a third-place end at Marathon des Sables, 2018 Boston Marathon champion Of the Linden fired the ladies’s beginning pistol. Linden, who introduced her skilled retirement final 12 months, had initially been slated to run the race for the thirteenth time.
Prime 10 girls
1. Sharon Lokedi KEN 2:18:51
2. Loice Chemnung KEN 2:19:35
3. Mary Ngugi-Cooper KEN 2:20:07
4. Mercy Chelangat KEN 2:20:30
5. Jess McClain USA 2:20:49
6. Irine Cheptai KEN 2:20:54
7. Workenesh Edessa ETH 2:21:52
8. Annie Frisbie USA 2:22:00
9. Emily Sisson USA 2:22:39
10. Carrie Ellwood USA 2:22:53
Eden Rainbow-Cooper takes her second wheelchair title
In 2024, Eden Rainbow-Cooper turned the primary girl from Nice Britain ever to win the ladies’s Boston title within the wheelchair division. Now, she’s achieved it for the second time, breaking the tape in 1:30:51.
The efficiency improves her marathon PB (1:33:13) by practically two minutes, and betters her earlier Boston successful time (1:35:11) by greater than 4 minutes. “Coming throughout the end line, I used to be excited about all of the individuals who aren’t in a position to do that,” Rainbow-Cooper stated in a post-race interview.
Switzerland’s Catherine Debrunner, one of many favourites, took second in 1:32:59 for back-to-back runner-up finishes. Debrunner got here off an distinctive 2025 12 months of racing, which included wins at each Tokyo and London. Boston is the one marathon main she hasn’t gained.
Tatyana McFadden of the U.S. took third in 1:36:43.
Reigning champion Susannah Scaroni was absent from this 12 months’s race.
See right here for full outcomes from Boston.
John Korir smashes Boston Marathon course document with 2:01:52
