By Amanda Brucculeri
Boston University News Service
As the 128th Boston Marathon starts today, last year’s winners are gearing up for another potential win.
The 2023 Men’s Open Champion, Evans Chebet, is the only runner this year who has won the race previously. He was also the men’s champion in 2022, making this year a potential opportunity for a three-peat.
If he wins today, Chebet will become the fifth man to win three straight Boston Marathons. The last to do it was Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot in 2008. Chebet finished with a time of 2:05:54 last year and 2:06:51 the year prior.
Since last year’s marathon, Chebet has not been able to compete in any other races due to an injury he sustained whilst racing to the finish line. In November, he had to pull out of the New York Marathon because he was still not healed.
By running this year, Chebet also hopes to get the attention of Kenya’s Olympic selectors. So far, he has been left out of consideration, but hopes to be able to compete for Team Kenya in this year’s summer Olympics in Paris, according to MozzartSport.
The 2023 Women’s Open Champion, Hellen Obiri, is also returning for a potential second win. Last year, she finished the course with a time of 2:21:38.
Also ailing from Kenya, Obiri is a two-time Olympic silver medalist in the 5,000 meters race. Athletics Kenya named Obiri to their preliminary marathon team for this summer’s Olympics in Paris, along with six other women. Eventually, this list will be cut down to only three athletes.
After last year’s marathon victory, Obiri won Boston’s downhill course, as well as a tactical race in New York. In January, she finished second in the Houston Half Marathon.
Both Chebet and Obiri are considered top entrants for this Monday’s marathon, making a repeat of last year’s outcome very possible.
