View attachment 3576241
Mwanariadha nyota wa Tanzania Alphonce Simbu amefanikiwa kumaliza nafasi ya pili kwenye mashindano ya Boston Marathon nchini Marekani
Simbu alikimbia kwa muda wa masaa 2:02:47, nyuma ya mkenya John Koriri aliyetumia muda ea masaa 2:01:52, wakati Benson Kipruto alimaliza wa tatu kwa kutumia muda wa masaa 2:02:50
Simbu alimaliza wapili pia kwenye mbio za mwaka jana
Hongera sana Simbu
20 April 2026
BOSTON MARATHON 2026
Korir smashes course record at Boston Marathon 2026
Men
1 John Korir (KEN) 2:01:52
2
Alphonce Simbu (TAN) 2:02:47
3 Benson Kipruto (KEN) 2:02:50
4 Hailemariam Kiros (ETH) 2:03:42
5 Zouhair Talbi (USA) 2:03:45
6 Tebello Ramakongoana (LES) 2:04:18
7 Charles Hicks (USA) 2:04:35
8 Richard Ringer (GER) 2:04:47
9 Alex Masai (KEN) 2:05:32
10 Milkesa Mengesha (ETH) 2:05:35
11 Clayton Young (USA) 2:05:41
12 Ryan Ford (USA) 2:05:46
13 Joe Klecker (USA) 2:05:56
14 Rory Linkletter (CAN) 2:06:04
15 Yemane Haileselassie (ERI) 2:06:06
16 Nicholas Kipkorir (KEN) 2:06:07
John Korir successfully defended his title at the Boston Marathon with a course record of 2:01:52 while fellow Kenyan Sharon Lokedi also retained her crown at the
World Athletics Platinum Label road race on Monday (20 April 2026).
Heartbreak Hill proved decisive in both races. It’s where Korir surged clear of mid-race leader Milkesa Mengesha and Lokedi broke away from the main pack alongside three compatriots before sealing victory in the closing stages in 2:18:51.
It’s the first time since 1996 that both winners retained their titles. With 13 men finishing inside 2:06 and 10 women finishing inside 2:23, it’s also one of the deepest Boston Marathons in history. As it’s a point-to-point course, however, times are not eligible for PB or record purposes.
A large lead pack in the men’s race, initially driven by USA’s Alex Maier, went through 10km in 29:02, with the likes of Korir, world champion Alphonce Simbu, 2021 Boston winner Benson Kipruto, Hendrik Pfeiffer, Ryan Ford and Alex Masai all content to sit in.
View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wyywvtTnFNQ
Lemi Berhanu, Boston winner in 2016, made the first significant solo move shortly after 20km, reaching halfway in 1:01:43 before Korir moved across to join him. Mengesha, the 2024 Berlin Marathon champion, tracked the move and soon positioned himself at the front.
By 25km, Mengesha had edged ahead in 1:13:02, gradually stretching the field. A chase group formed behind him, featuring Korir, Berhanu, Simbu, Zouhair Talbi and Tebello Ramakongoana, and by 30km his advantage had grown to 12 seconds.
The decisive move came as the leaders approached Heartbreak Hill. Korir surged to the front before mile 20, overturning Mengesha’s lead and quickly opening daylight. By the top of the climb, he had established a clear gap, with Kipruto and Simbu emerging as his closest challengers while Mengesha faded out of contention.
Korir continued to press over the closing miles, extending his lead to 26 seconds by 35km and 43 seconds by 40km, maintaining a relentless pace that brought him home in a course record of 2:01:52.
Behind him, the battle for the remaining podium places played out between Kipruto and Simbu. As was the case at the World Championships last year, Tanzania’s Simbu proved the strongest in a kick finish, taking the runner-up spot in 2:02:47. Kipruto was third in 2:02:50 as all three podium placers finished inside the previous course record of 2:03:02, set back in 2011.
"I knew I would defend my title, but I didn't know I would run that fast," said Korir, whose official PB of 2:02:24 was set when winning in Valencia in December. "For many years, my mind was set on the course record and I thank God that I have achieved it now."
Korir has now won the past four marathons that he has completed, having notched up victories in Chicago in 2024, Boston and Valencia in 2025 and Boston again in 2026
