‘I didn't know I would run that fast’: Korir sets course record for Boston Marathon

Kenya’s John Korir knew he was going to take home the crown of the Boston Marathon for the second year in a row when he got to the starting line in Hopkinton on Monday.

What he didn’t know was that he was about to make history.

“I knew I would defend my title, but I didn’t know I would run that fast,” he said.

Fast is a bit of an understatement. Pushed along by a decent tailwind, Korir finished with a time of 02:01:52, setting a new course record in the process.

The previous record of 2:03:02 was set by Korir’s countryman, Geoffrey Mutai, in 2011. That was a record that was broken not just by Korir, but by each of the men’s top three finishers.

It was a performance that will go down in history. And Korir wasn’t alone in defending his title.

Sharon Lokedi, also of Kenya, took home the crown once again with a time of 2:18:51. She missed the course high mark she set herself last year by about a minute and a half.

Arthur Mansavage GBH News

“I feel like this course humbles you so much,” she said. “And with the help of people and all the cheers on the course, it just makes it even [more] special. So, I’m really grateful and happy.”

Continuing the dominance was Switzerland’s Marcel Hug, who won the men’s wheelchair division for the ninth time. That’s just one short of the all-time record of 10 wins set by Ernst Van Dyk. They don’t call him “The Silver Bullet” for nothing.

Arthur Mansavage GBH News

“I mean every single win here in Boston is really something special, very unique,” Hug said. “And means a lot to me. And now nine times [to] win is even more incredible.”

In the women’s wheelchair division, Britain’s Eden Rainbow-Cooper didn’t repeat, but took home her second crown after winning in 2024. She said winning before showed that it was possible.

Arthur Mansavage GBH News

“But it was still a surprise today. You know, 1:30 is a really fast time,” she said. “Like, I never thought that I would probably ever do that in race. So that was different, but it’s always a privilege and an honor.”

Thirty thousand participants were expected to take to the famed course on Monday, a day that turned out to have near perfect weather of temperatures hovering near 50 and decent cloud coverage.

It was a far cry from "The Run for the Hoses" that happened 50 years ago in the '76 Marathon. And whether they were record setters, everyday runners or even the daughter of a president, the left turn on to Boylston is sure to be a moment they’ll cherish for a long time.

Half a century ago, Jon Dana and Chris Troyanos were undergraduates studying athletic training at Northeastern University when a professor told them to go volunteer at the Boston Marathon.

“We first started in 1977,” Troyanos said. “And we’ve not left since.”

They’ve been working the Marathon’s finish line, checking how the athletes are doing after those hours of exertion — and, for those who aren’t able to support themselves, trying to catch them before they fall.

Courtesy of Jon Dana

Now, after a combined century of working and volunteering at the marathon, the two have both decided that this year’s Boston Marathon will be their last.

Dana had planned to call it quits a few years back, after a mere 47 years. “It was Chris that said, ‘No, you’ve got to make it to 50 with me.’”

“I basically begged him,” Troyanos remembered. “I think I got on two knees. We started together, so why not end it together? Which is exactly what’s gonna happen. That’s special.”

Read more about Dana and Troyanos here.

A mix of cowbells, screams and music filled the air at the finish line as Kenya’s John Korir repeated as the men’s champion and set a new course record of 2:01:52.

The previous record of 2:03:02 was set in 2011 by Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai. The top three finishers on the men’s side all beat it today in a race that sets a new standard for Marathon Monday.

Sharon Lokedi of Kenya won the professional women’s division with a preliminary time of 2:18:51.

It’s the second-fastest win in the women’s division. Lokedi also claims that fastest spot: She won the division last year and smashed the old course record by two-and-a-half minutes.

John Korir of Kenya won the professional men’s division, snagging back-to-back victories, and set a new course record in the process. His unofficial time is 2:01:52, blowing away the 2011 course record set by Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya in 2011.

He also beat his own time from last year by nearly three minutes.

Korir and his older brother, Wesley Korir, were already Boston Marathon royalty: Wesley Korir won the division in 2012.

John Korir of Kenya is holding onto his lead in the professional men’s field. Korir won the professional men’s group last year, quite literally following in his brother Wesley’s footsteps. Wesley Korir won the Marathon division in 2012.

Liz Faria is starting her first-ever marathon along with the final wave. But it was a random coincidence in Beverly a few weeks ago may have been the universe’s way of telling her she chose the right time.

The 46-year-old social worker and mother of three pre-teens said she had long had the idea in the back of her head “as a bucket list thing." She’d tried a couple of half marathons way back, but hadn’t run much in at least 15 years.

Last year, she applied and was accepted as a charity runner for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. This Boston Marathon coincides with the 10-year anniversary of her mother’s death from cancer.

She found the physical demands of training incredibly intense.

“I’ve done lots of crazy stuff, but this is so much harder than anything I've ever done,” she said.

Courtesy of Liz Faria

But she credits a Beverly author’s book for helping her make it to the starting line: “50 Ways to F*** Up a Marathon!” by Alan Yen. And just a few weeks ago, she found herself shoulder to shoulder with him.

“The day of my biggest run, the 20-miler, we went to see ‘Clue’ that night at the Cabot Theater. And I was sitting next to the author,” Faria said. “He’s not a celebrity. So it was cool. I recognized him. And I'm like, ‘Dude, I’ve been following this guy!’”

Faria is hoping to finish the marathon in four-and-a-half to five hours. She’s raised more than $18,000.

It was Kortney Hixson’s mom who motivated her 26.2-mile trek. Her mother, Maribeth Finn, went to the emergency room about two years ago.

“Just out of the blue, I did not feel good. I went home. That was a Tuesday,” Finn recalled. “I got into bed, and I probably didn’t get out of bed until Friday.

Her family eventually pushed her to go to the emergency room. It turned out she had chronic kidney failure and spent several days in the ICU.

Hixson, her daughter, didn’t want her to be on dialysis. So she got tested to see if her kidney would be a match for her mom. Luckily, it was.

Now, Hixson is running the Boston Marathon — with her mom cheering her on from the sidelines.

Listen to the interview with Hixson and Finn here.

Eden Rainbow-Cooper of Great Britain won the women’s wheelchair division for the second time, setting a personal best.

Her unofficial time was 1:30:51, according to race results. She last won the Boston Marathon in 2024.

Marcel Hug of Switzerland has won the men’s wheelchair division for a ninth time.

He finished in 1:16:06, according to unofficial race results, just a half minute off the course record. That’s a course record he set himself in 2024.

Mike Castle’s running his 15th Boston Marathon — or, really, his 16th, if you count a virtual one in 2020.

“It’s a perfect day for a PR,” he said. “I just wish I were young enough to do a PR.”

Jeremy Siegel GBH News

The 62-year-old is running in the T-13 category, a para category where — as Castle puts it — “we can see well enough to run without a guide, but we can’t read the addresses on the houses.”

He’s looking forward to getting back on the Boston course.

“The whole city is into it. It’s such a tradition. You go to any other city, there’ll be people cheering — but it’s not really part of the fabric, the culture, of the city like it is in Boston. So I’m so happy to be back.”

Elise Amendola AP

The Boston Marathon didn’t always have a wheelchair division.

In 1975, Bob Hall changed course history when he was the first person sanctioned to compete in a wheelchair. He finished the race in a clunky hospital-style wheelchair — and he did it under three hours.

“I never thought about what I was doing as ‘first’ or ‘unique.’ I was really doing it for myself,” he told GBH News last year. “I never even thought about the time. It was a ride of enjoyment.”

He went on to change the sport by designing wheelchairs for the next generations of racers. Hall served as grand marshal at last year’s marathon to mark the 50th anniversary of his historic race, and crossed the finish line one last time.

Hall died at the age of 74 earlier this month.

Learn more about Hall’s life and legacy here.

Jeremy Siegel GBH News

Last year’s champions are returning to the course. John Korir and Sharon Lokedi, both of Kenya. Lokedi set the women’s course record last year.

In the men’s wheelchair division, Marcel Hug of Switzerland is looking to clinch his ninth Boston Marathon win. He’s already more than halfway through the course.

Excitement is in the air as the Marathon gets underway. And it’s a special day for Tony Reed.

Reed is the co-founder of the National Black Marathoners Association. He's set to be the official starter for Wave 1 of runners coming from Hopkinton.

Reed says the group has held events for the Boston Marathon since 2014.

“The first one we had 10 African American runners. The one they had yesterday there were over 120,” Reed told GBH News on Sunday. “So, we've done a lot to encourage African Americans to pursue distance running as a way of improving their mental and physical health.”

Reed has run 132 marathons, including at least one marathon on each continent. He said one of the group’s goals was to create role models.

“Because we knew if we had African American role models, there would be more African Americans who would be interested in pursuing the sport,” he said.

Still, of all the races Reed has been in, he's never run Boston. But he's not closing the door on the possibility just yet.

“But I turn 71 next year and running Boston is kind of still in the back of my mind as something that I could possibly do,” Reed said. “But first I want to get the grandkids out the way.”

Esteban Bustillos GBH News

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Cathy Vichaidith (left), Yibin Yang (center), and Leslie Walstrom (right) cheer on runners heading to bus loading on Monday morning ahead of the Boston Marathon on Monday April, 20, 2026.

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Chrylann Lewis (center) cheering on runners at gear check Monday morning ahead of The Boston Marathon on April, 20, 2026.

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The finish line ahead of the Boston Marathon on Monday April, 20, 2026.

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Runners check their gear and load busses in Boston ahead of the Boston Marathon on Monday April, 20, 2026. 30,000 thousand runners are expected to take part in the 130th running of The Boston Marathon.

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Runners waiting in the Boston Common Monday morning before going through security checkpoints before boarding busses in The Boston Common ahead of the Boston Marathon on Monday April, 20, 2026.

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Runners waiting in the Boston Common Monday morning before going through security checkpoints before boarding busses in The Boston Common ahead of the Boston Marathon on Monday April, 20, 2026.

Arthur Mansavage / GBH News

Runners head through security checkpoints before boarding busses in The Boston Common ahead of the Boston Marathon on Monday April, 20, 2026.

Arthur Mansavage / GBH News

Thousands of runners headed to bus loading in The Boston Common ahead of the Boston Marathon on Monday April, 20, 2026.

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Runners leaving gear check headed to bus loading in the Boston Common ahead of the Boston Marathon on Monday April, 20, 2026.

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Scroll through photos taken by GBH News photo intern Arthur Mansavage.

It’s a right-on-schedule start for the 2026 Boston Marathon.

The women’s wheelchair division is following the men’s division into the field now.

The men’s wheelchair division is going out first this morning at 9:06 a.m., with the women following shortly after at 9:09.

Jeremy Siegel GBH News

Now that the day’s finally here, anyone who’s put in the hours dedicated to getting to Boston race day is making sure they’re getting their minds and bodies right.

Sergio Rodriguez, 34, from California told GBH News, “I’ve been waiting my whole life to do this.”

It’s his first time running Boston, here from Los Angeles. He had his pre-race ritual ready to go: Two slices of meat lover’s pizza.

Souhail Kandil, running his second Boston Marathon, had some advice for first-time racers. Be careful on the early downhills. He says he underestimated that his first time on the course.

“Once the quads are done, they're done,” Kandil said. “You can be aerobically in shape, but if you don't respect the hills, they are going to make you pay.”

Sara Kenefick, a 24-year-old from Charlotte, N.C., is also running Boston for the second time. At her coach’s advice, she was wearing a big fluffy robe before the start line.

Her advice to first-time runners?

“Enjoy it, because it is too magical of an experience to pass up.”

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Jeremy Siegel / GBH News

Souhail Kandil, running his second Boston Marathon, had some advice for first-time racers: Be careful on the early downhills.

Jeremy Siegel / GBH News

Sara Kenefick, a 24-year-old from Charlotte, N.C., says the Boston Marathon is “too magical of an experience to pass up.”

Jeremy Siegel / GBH News

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Boston’s in the 30s and climbing, but not my much. The high will be around 50 today, give or take a couple degrees.

This year, we’re still going to remain mainly dry, but on the cooler side of average. Nice for the runners but a bit chilly if you’re a spectator.

The oldest marathon in the country has a reputation for its historic course and for the weather, which has affected the race in monumental ways. The race lands squarely in the middle of New England’s most fickle season.

The 2018 race stands out for me as one of the most miserable in history, with temperatures in the 30s and 40s accompanied by a windswept rain creating a stiff headwind. Elite runners struggled alongside amateurs. Desiree Linden’s victory that year became iconic not just for being the first American woman to win the event in 33 years, but for the sheer toughness required to endure the conditions.

Meredith Nierman GBH News

Then in 2010, there was one of the most unusual natural phenomena to impact the marathon: The eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland, which disrupted travel from Europe and caused hundreds to miss the race.

All in all, when you consider strong headwinds, big heat, driving rain or even cold damp weather, this year’s marathon will be one of the better ones. Let’s see how fast the runners can go in these favorable conditions.

There’s less than two hours until the first athletes take off in Hopkinton.

Frances Ramirez PIONEERS Run Crew, Courtesy

When 26.TRUE started in 2021, nobody was expecting the marathon to become what it has. But now the runners and organizing crew have made the Saturday before the Boston Marathon into its own kind of tradition.

The race takes place entirely within the Boston city limits, in contrast to the Boston Marathon that is run mostly outside of the city.

The name 26.TRUE is a play on words, claiming its place in the city and paying homage to the 26.2-mile distance of a marathon.

About 30 to 40 runners showed up that first year.

“That was really gonna be it, but then people started reaching out and saying, ‘What is this thing, this looks like a lot of fun, are you bringing it back?’” said Barak Soreff, one of the race directors of 26.TRUE.

Sharon Lee, another race director for 26.TRUE, said the growth of the event has tracked with the growth of the PIONEERS Run Crew.

“You know, our field for 26.TRUE has pretty much doubled every year,” Lee said.

Read the full story from GBH’s Esteban Bustillos here.

The mall at the Prudential Center in Boston is a temple of shopping. But tucked away in the maze of high-end stores and restaurants, next to a Dunkin’ and across from a Shake Shack, sits the St. Francis Chapel. For decades, it’s been a haven for the faithful looking for a place to worship amid the bustle of modern commerce.

And since it’s a short walk from the finish line, the Boston Marathon weekend is one of the busiest times of the year for the chapel. Especially the day before Marathon Monday, when St. Francis hosts its Runner’s Mass.

“We count on 300 runners, at least, coming to that Mass,” said Father Jeremy Paulin, director of the chapel.

Read the full story here.

Arthur Mansavage GBH News

Anyone up this early? I’m guessing you have a newborn, a nasty stomach bug, or you might be completing some race day rituals ahead of running the Boston Marathon.

Today’s the 130th race, and the first athletes won’t take off for another four hours.

If you are planning to cheer from the sidelines, perhaps with a fun sign in hand, you can check out our guide to spectating the Patriots’ Day race here.

Follow your favorite athletes and friends in the B.A.A. Racing App. Many of the 2025 Boston Marathon champions are returning to the course this year, including: pro women’s athlete Sharon Lodeki, who set a course record last year; pro men’s athlete John Korir of Kenya; and eight-time course champion Marcel Hug in the men’s wheelchair division.

Check back on our results page to see who clinches the top spots.