Kenyan John Korir made history again this Monday in the 130th edition of the Boston Marathon by being crowned champion for the second consecutive year with a time of 2 hours, 1 minute and 52 seconds, breaking the course record that Geoffrey Mutai had established more than a decade ago.
The men’s podium was completed by his compatriots Alphonce Simbu and Benson Kipruto, who also recorded times below the old test record in an edition that was confirmed as one of the fastest in the history of the event. In the women’s category, Kenyan Sharon Lokedi also retained her title from the previous year to complete a historic day for Kenyan athletics in Boston.
Korir’s performance is among the fastest in the history of the Boston track, one of the most demanding tests on the international calendar due to the particularities of its route.
The race was decided after kilometer 32, when Korir executed his attack and left the Ethiopian Milkesa Mengesha behind to take an advantage that he did not relinquish until crossing the finish line. The Kenyan managed the test intelligently during the first sections before launching into the final kilometers with a devastating pace that could not be matched by any of his rivals on a day where African dominance was absolute.
Korir’s time of 2:01:52 also becomes the world’s best marathon mark of the year, reinforcing his position as one of the best distance runners on the planet at this time. His victory in Boston confirms a cycle of dominance that places him at the center of world athletics and strengthens his legacy in one of the most iconic events on the international calendar.
The men’s podium was completed by their compatriots Alphonce Simbu and Benson Kipruto, who also recorded times below the old record of the event, confirming the absolute dominance of Kenyan athletics in the marathon distance and the very high competitive level that the 130th edition of the event showed.
The 130th edition of the Boston Marathon will remain in historical records not only for the circuit record but also for the general level of the race on the route that connects the town of Hopkinton with Copley Square, reflecting the extraordinary moment that the international marathon is currently experiencing.