Kenya cemented its dominance in long-distance running at the 2024 Boston Marathon as John Korir triumphed in the men's race and compatriot Sharon Lokedi smashed the women's course record. Korir clocked 2:04:45 despite a dramatic fall at the start, becoming the first runner to win a Boston title while overcoming such an early setback.
The 28-year-old honored family legacy by replicating his brother Wesley Korir's 2012 victory, marking the first sibling duo to achieve this feat in the marathon's 128-year history. "This win completes a promise I made to my brother," Korir told reporters after strategically surging ahead at the 34km mark.
In the women's division, Lokedi dethroned defending champion Hellen Obiri with a historic 2:15:37 finish – the fastest women's time ever recorded on Boston’s challenging course. The result reinforces East Africa’s stronghold on major marathons, with Tanzanian Alphonce Felix Simbu and Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut rounding out the men’s podium in a nail-biting photo finish.
