Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi etched her name into Boston Marathon history on April 21, 2025, by smashing the women’s course record with a stunning 2:17:22 finish. Her performance echoed the same thrilling narratives that captivated the world during the 2024 edition.
Just like last year, the Boston Marathon has seen a Kenyan running. Lokedi’s victory was especially symbolic, as she overtook Hellen Obiri, the two-time defending champion, in the final stretch. Obiri, who had claimed the 2023 and 2024 titles, pushed hard but ultimately finished 19 seconds behind her compatriot in a dramatic repeat of their fierce rivalry from the previous year.
The 2025 race bore striking similarities to 2024. Both years saw Kenyan athletes dominate the podiums, with high-stakes head-to-heads in the women’s division and explosive finishes in the men’s field. The shared theme? Grit, determination, and strategic brilliance from East African runners.
While the 2024 edition was defined by Obiri’s incredible surge to secure her second title, the 2025 narrative centered on Lokedi’s comeback. After winning the 2022 New York City Marathon and spending much of 2023 in recovery, her performance in Boston marked a full-circle moment, re-establishing her as a global force in distance running.
Notably, the 2025 race also had a family twist. John Korir claimed victory in the men’s race, replicating the Kenyan sweep seen in 2024. Korir’s win was made even more historic as he joined his brother, 2012 champion Wesley Korir, in becoming the first sibling duo to win the Boston Marathon.
The spirit of the event remained consistent with the previous year as crowds lined the streets in record numbers, and race organizers integrated historic tributes in honor of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. This tradition and spectacle matched the electric atmosphere of 2024’s Patriot’s Day celebration, reinforcing Boston’s standing as the soul of long-distance running.
