John Korir and his older brother Wesley now share a special family tradition no other siblings can boast: Both are Boston Marathon champions.
While Wesley claimed the title back in 2012 by braving some of the highest temperatures the race has ever seen, John enjoyed near-perfect conditions en route to his win at the 129th running of the marathon on Monday.
The women’s field saw a blazing finish led by 2024 runner-up Sharon Lokedi, who prevented Hellen Obiri from completing a threepeat and shattered the previous course record of 2 hours, 19 minutes, 59 seconds with a 2:17:22 finish. All three podium finishers were faster than the previous course record.
Korir crossed at 2:04:45, recording the second-fastest winning time in the men’s race’s history and close to 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.
Though Korir stirred up a bit of drama with a fall at the start of the race, there wasn’t much tension surrounding his final sprint. However, the race for second place almost required a photo finish. Alphonce Felix Simbu of Tanzania edged out Kenya’s Cyprian Kotut for second while American Conner Mantz finished fourth.
Defending champion Sisay Lemma appeared to pull out of the race just before Mile 17. As the rest of the pack leading the race continued, Lemma stepped off to the side of the course to stretch his leg.
American Des Linden, who won the Boston Marathon in 2018, recorded a 2:26:18 finish. She announced before the race that this marathon would be the last of her professional career.
In the men’s elite wheelchair race, seven-time Paralympic gold medalist Marcel Hug of Switzerland was the first athlete to cross the finish line. Hug, who has now won the marathon eight times and set the course record thrice since claiming his first in 2015, finished in 1:21:32 seconds.
“Boston is very special because it’s a very historic marathon. I like the course. I like the people, the crowd, the organization. We feel so very welcomed here,” Hug said after snagging his third consecutive win.
American Daniel Romanchuk finished second in the men’s elite wheelchair division in 1:25:56. Over the last decade, Romanchuk has been the only athlete to interrupt Hug’s dominance, claiming titles in 2019 and ’22.
In the women’s wheelchair division, American Susannah Scaroni emerged victorious for the second time in her career, clocking a time of 1:35:20, after first winning in 2023. She now joins an exclusive club of American women who have won multiple titles, including Jean Driscoll (eight), Candace Cable-Brookes (six), Tatyana McFadden (five) and Cheri Blauwet (two).
(Photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
