John Korir and his older brother Wesley now share a special family tradition that no other brothers and sisters can boast: the two are champions of Boston Marathon.
While Wesley won the title in 2012 by brainstorming some of the highest temperatures that the race has ever seen, John appreciated the almost perfect conditions on his way to his victory during the 129th marathon race on Monday.
The female field saw a flamboyant finish led by 2024, the finalist of Sharon Lokedi, who prevented Hellen Obiri from finishing a three events and broke the record for the previous 2 hour, 19 minutes, 59 seconds course with a finish of 2:17:22. The three podium finish were faster than the previous course record.
Korir crossed at 2:04:45, recording the second fastest victory time in the history of the male race and almost eight minutes faster than his brother. Wesley was waiting at the finish line and wrapped John in a tight embrace to celebrate, 13 years after his triumph.
Although Korir aroused a little drama with a fall at the start of the race, there was not much tension surrounding his final sprint. However, the race for second place almost required a photo. Alphonce Felix Simbu, from Tanzania, ahead of the Kenya Cyprian Kotut during second place while American Conner Mantz finished fourth.
The defending champion Sisay Lemma seemed to withdraw from the race just before the Mile 17. While the rest of the peloton leading the race continued, the lemma left on the side of the course to stretch his leg.
The Linden American, who won the Boston marathon in 2018, recorded a finish of 2:26:18. Before the race, she announced that this marathon would be the last of her professional career.
Sharon Lokedi of Kenya crosses the finish line of the Boston marathon. (Joseph Prezioso / AFP via Getty Images)
In the race for wheelchairs for men, the Paralympic gold medalist seven times Marcel Hug in Switzerland was the first athlete to cross the finish line. Hug, who has now won the marathon eight times and set the course record three times since he asked for his first in 2015, finished in 1:21:32 seconds.
“Boston is very special because it is a very historic marathon. I like the course. I like people, the crowd, the organization. We feel very welcome here,” said Hug after hanging his third consecutive victory.
The American Daniel Romanchuk finished second in the division of wheelchairs for men in 1:25:56. Over the past decade, Romanchuk has been the only athlete to interrupt HUG’s domination, claiming titles in 2019 and 22.
In the female division of wheelchairs, the American Susannah Scaroni came out victorious for the second time in her career, blocking for a time of 1:35:20, after winning for the first time in 2023. She is now joining an exclusive club of American women who won several titles, including Jean Driscoll (eight), Candace Cable-Brookes (Six), Tatyana (five) and Chairi Broau (two), Tatyana McFadden (Five) and Cableri Broau (TWO).
(Photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
