This was the third victory in a row for Obiri in a World Marathon Majors race, leading a Kenyan sweep of the podium.
Defending champion Hellen Obiri was victorious at the Boston Marathon on Monday (15), winning the race in 2:22:37.
At the same time, 2022 and 2023 men’s winner Evans Chebet failed in his quest for a three-peat, finishing third behind Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma who clocked 2:06:17 for a redemption victory following two previous unsuccessful outings.
This was the third victory in a row for Obiri in a World Marathon Majors race, leading a Kenyan sweep of the podium.
A pack of about 20 women ran together for most of the race with a leading pack of about 12 runners reaching the 35km in 2:00:48.
About six minutes later, Obiri, Sharon Lokedi and Edna Kiplagat broke away to form a lead trio. Two-time Boston winner Kiplagat dropped off after a few minutes leaving Obiri and Lokedi to battle.
2022 New York Marathon winner Lokedi claimed second place in 2:22:45, while Kiplagat completed the Kenyan podium sweep in 2:23:21.
“I knew that Sharon was very strong so I tried my best at the end,” Obiri said after the race. “I tried to push, but she was still close behind me. To win here makes me so very happy. When I won here last year, I was not that familiar with the marathon. This year my training was perfect and I trusted everything we were doing. After winning here, I hope I’ll be selected to compete at the Olympics,” Obirir said.
The two races played out in contrasting fashion; Lemma made an early break in the men’s race and built up a huge lead, eventually winning by 41 seconds.
Ethiopia’s Mohamed Esa went from fifth to second by the finish line, claiming the runner-up spot in 2:06:58. Chebet, the defending champion, this time finished third in 2:07:22 - his fourth consecutive podium finish in a marathon major.
“I previously didn’t finish in this race, so I wanted redemption for that, that’s why I came,” said Lemma, who last year moved to fourth on the world all-time list with his 2:01:48 victory in Valencia. “Thankfully I was able to redeem myself, so I’m happy. My plan was to break the course record, but the hills at the end made me really tired. The reason I raced in Boston is because the course is similar to the Olympic one, so hopefully this will be good preparation for the Paris Games.”
Leading results
Women
1 Hellen Obiri (KEN) 2:22:37
2 Sharon Lokedi (KEN) 2:22:45
3 Edna Kiplagat (KEN) 2:23:21
4 Buze Diriba (ETH) 2:24:04
5 Senbere Teferi (ETH) 2:24:04
6 Mary Ngugi-Cooper (KEN) 2:24:24
7 Workenesh Edesa (ETH) 2:24:47
8 Fatima Gardadi (MAR) 2:24:53
9 Tiruye Mesfin (ETH) 2:24:58
10 Dera Dida (ETH) 2:25:16
Men
1 Sisay Lemma (ETH) 2:06:17
2 Mohamed Esa (ETH) 2:06:58
3 Evans Chebet (KEN) 2:07:22
4 John Korir (KEN) 2:07:40
5 Albert Korir (KEN) 2:07:47
6 Isaac Mpofu (ZIM) 2:08:17
7 CJ Albertson (USA) 2:09:53
8 Yuma Morii (KEN) 2:09:59
9 Cybrian Kotut (KEN) 2:10:29
10 Zouhair Talbi (MAR) 2:10:45