By Ananya Swaroop
Boston University News Service
With just a day left in the 2026 Boston Marathon, the excitement amongst Bostonians is high. Preparations are in order, as runners plan their strategies for the 130th Boston Marathon on Monday. The traditional 26.2-mile course from Hopkinton to Boston will light up again when the crowd gathers to cheer the runners as they reach the finish line.
The energy makes it almost feel nostalgic. The 2025 Boston Marathon was a historic event when Kenyan runners John Korir and Sharon Lokedi bagged the winning titles in the men’s and women’s races, respectively. A year later, spectators are wondering if the two are returning to the race track and if they will break their own records this time.
Much to the audience’s anticipation, both Korir and Lokedi will be returning for the 2026 marathon. At the forefront of global marathon running, the two long-distance runners are coming back with a hope to build a legacy.
In 2025, Korir won the men’s race with a time of 2:04:45. This was one of the fastest winning times in the event’s history. What made his victory even more special was the fact that he and his older brother, 2012 champion Wesley Korir, became the first sibling duo to win the race in Boston.
Just like Korir, Lokedi’s win was also special. She broke the previous record of two-time defending champion Hellen Obiri by more than two minutes when she finished the marathon with a time of 2:17:22.
After the win, Korir continued competing at races around the world. In 2025, he also won the Valencia Marathon and the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country. For this year’s marathon, he will be joined by Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu and Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut, who finished just behind Korir last year.
As for Lokedi, she secured second place in the New York City Marathon after her Boston win. At the 2026 marathon, she will renew her rivalry with Obiri.
As MarMon Day approaches, all eyes are once again on the defending champions to find out whether they will repeat their success or face new challengers this time.
About Boston Marathon 2026
Runners participating in the Boston Marathon and their families gathered at the Hynes Convention Center for the expo and fan fest during Marathon weekend. 30,000 runners will be taking part in the race on Monday, April 21. The 1976 champion, Jack Fultz, is this year’s grand marshal.
The start schedule is as follows:
Wheelchair Men – 9:06 a.m.
Wheelchair Women – 9:09 a.m.
Handcycles/Duos – 9:30 a.m.
Professional Men – 9:37 a.m.
Professional Women – 9:47 a.m.
Para Athletics Division – 9:50 a.m.
Entries:
Leading entries (men): Benson Kipruto, John Korir, Milkesa Mengesha, Cybrian Kotut, Abdi Nageeye, Lemi Berhanu, Hailemaryam Kiros, Alex Masai, Alphonce Felix Simbu, Mohamed Esa, Zouhair Talbi, Tebello Ramakongoana, Rory Linkletter and Tsegay Weldibanos, among others.
Leading entries (women): Irine Cheptai, Workenesh Edesa, Loice Chemnung, Bedatu Hirpa, Emily Sisson, Mary Ngugi-Cooper, Sharon Lokedi, Sara Hall, Calli Hauger-Thackery, Susanna Sullivan, Annie Frisbie and Dakotah Popehn, among others.
The official finish line will close at 5:30 p.m, allowing roads to reopen and the program to commence across all eight cities and towns along the route.
