Boston, October 2023 — Kenya’s John Korir and Sharon Lokedi made headlines at the Boston Marathon on Monday, each claiming victory in their respective races.
John Korir’s Triumph
John Korir surged ahead in the men’s marathon, finishing with a time of 2:04:45 despite a stumble at the very start. His victory mirrors that of his brother, Wesley Korir, who won the Boston Marathon in 2012. The Korir brothers are now the first siblings to both win this prestigious event.
“I was aiming to win Boston, and I had promised my brother that I was going to win,” Korir shared after the race. He made his decisive move around the 34km mark, creating a lead that remained unchallenged to the finish line.
Tanzania’s Alphonce Felix Simbu claimed second place in a tight finish against Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut, both clocking in at 2:05:04.
Sharon Lokedi Sets New Record
In the women’s race, Sharon Lokedi set a new course record with a time of 2:17:22. She outpaced defending champion Hellen Obiri by 19 seconds, with Ethiopia’s Yalemserf Yehualaw finishing third. Lokedi shattered the previous course record of 2:19:59 set in 2014.
“It feels so good, so great. I can’t believe it, I’m so excited,” Lokedi expressed. “I have finished behind Hellen so many times, but this time I told myself it wasn’t going to happen again. I fought and wanted it so bad. I loved every part of this race.” Lokedi had previously won the New York Marathon on her debut at the distance.
With over 32,000 participants, this year’s Boston Marathon was a celebration of endurance and athleticism, marking a memorable day for runners and fans worldwide.
