Kenya’s Dominance with Unicorn Champions in 2025
Kenya emerged as the homeland of the unicorn champions in 2025, with Sharon Lokedi setting a new female record and John Korir sharing a heartwarming brotherly story.
Sharon Lokedi Breaks Female Record
Sharon Lokedi, a 31-year-old Kenyan runner, shattered the previous record by over two minutes, finishing the race in 2 hours, 17 minutes, and 22 seconds. Her experience proved to be the key, as she finished second in the previous year’s race. On Monday, Lokedi was neck-and-neck with reigning champion Hellen Obiri during the final 1.6 km stretch through Boston’s city center.
Lokedi started the race as part of a leading group of 14 to 16 women. She mentioned that halfway through, the group maintained a rapid pace and was on track to break the record, with her half-marathon time under 69 minutes.
As the leading group dwindled from over a dozen runners to five, and then to just three, it seemed the race would come down to a final-kilometer sprint between Lokedi and Obiri, both two-time Olympic silver medalists in the 5,000 meters.
American Jess McClain Secures Seventh Place
The best American finisher in the women’s race was Jess McClain, who crossed the finish line in seventh place with a time of 2:22:43. The last American woman to win the Boston Marathon was Des Linden in 2018, and the drought in the American men’s category dates back to 2014.
John Korir Wins the Men’s Race and Continues Brotherly Boston Marathon Tradition
In the men’s race, John Korir of Kenya emerged victorious with a time of 2:04:45. Korir, who also won the Chicago Marathon last year, joined his elder brother Wesley as the first siblings to win Boston. Wesley claimed victory in 2012.
“I had promised Wesley that he would be the one to win,” said John Korir, who saw his brother at the finish line. “Now it’s my turn to tease him because I’m the fastest in the family. He had a Boston title in the family, but now I do.”
Korir overcame a challenging start in Boston, falling within the first 50 meters and losing his bib from his shirt. However, he quickly recovered and caught up with the leading runners.
Korir’s stumble did not seem to affect him during the race, as he built a significant lead in the final nine kilometers, shortly after defending champion Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia dropped out.
Wheelchair Category
For the eighth time in ten years, Switzerland’s Marcel Hug claimed victory in the men’s wheelchair category, finishing more than a minute ahead of second-place Daniel Romanchuk (USA) with a time of 1 hour, 21 minutes, and 34 seconds.
Susannah Scaroni won her second title in three years in the women’s wheelchair category, finishing with a time of 1:35:20—two minutes better than second-place Catherine Debrunner (Switzerland).
Des Linden Announces Retirement
The American marathoner, who last won the Boston Marathon in 2018, announced her retirement from the distance following the race.
“People say you should finish with a victory, and that’s what I’m doing—running my last professional marathon in Boston is truly finishing with a victory. I’m ready to give it my all one last time. See you on Boylston. Thank you for all the years and support,” Linden wrote on Instagram. She finished 17th in the race.
Brooks, Linden’s sponsor, stated that the 41-year-old runner is retiring from professional marathons but will continue in ultramarathons and trail races.
Linden has long been one of America’s top marathoners, boasting three world championship medals. She also competed in the marathon at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.
Top 5: Boston Marathon 2025 (Edition 129) Results
- Female
- Sharon Lokedi, Kenya: 2:17:22
- Hellen Obiri, Kenya: 2:17:41
- Yalemzerf Yehualaw, Ethiopia: 2:18:06
- Irene Cheptai, Kenya: 2:21:32
- Amane Beriso, Ethiopia: 2:21:58
- Male
- John Korir, Kenya: 2:04:45
- Alphonce Felix Simbu, Tanzania: 2:05:04
- Cybrian Kotut, Kenya: 2:05:04
- Conner Mantz, EU: 2:05:08
- Muktar Edris, Ethiopia: 2:05:59
