Boston Marathon winner John Korir, of Kenya hoists the trophy while celebrating after the race in Boston, U.S., April 21, 2025. /VCG

Kenya's John Korir stormed to victory in the Boston Marathon on Monday, while compatriot Sharon Lokedi trumped defending champion Hellen Obiri in the women's race.

Korir clocked 2:04:45 for the win, overcoming a fall right at the start. The 28-year-old's feat emulated that of his brother Wesley Korir, the now-Kenyan politician who won in Boston in 2012 on his first attempt in five appearances. The Korir brothers make history as the first brothers or relatives of any kind to win the Boston Marathon.

"I was aiming to win Boston and I had promised my brother that I was going to win," said Korir, who made his move around the 34km mark, surging to take a lead he would never cede. He quickly built it up to nearly a minute as the others scrambled not only to reel him in but also fight for podium spots.

Tanzania's 2017 world bronze medallist Alphonce Felix Simbu was second, just holding off Kenya's Cybrian Kotut in a photo-finish in 2:05.04.

Sharon Lokedi of Kenya crosses the finish line of the 129th Boston Marathon in Boston, U.S., April 21, 2025. /VCG

Lokedi timed 2:17:22 in the women's race, outpacing Obiri by 19 seconds, with Ethiopian Yalemserf Yehualaw rounding out the podium. She smashed the previous course record of 2:19:59 set by Ethiopia's Buzunesh Deba in 2014.

Obiri had been looking to become the first woman since 1999 to win three consecutive Boston Marathon titles, something only four women have ever done. Only Deba had broken the 2:20 pace in Boston, but a group of 14 remained on track for that mark at the halfway point.

The pack split, but Obiri had not counted on Lokedi's electric finish,  with the 31-year-old pulling clear at the death for a new Boston record, with 32,000 participants on the heels of the elite runners.

"It feels so good, so great. I can't believe it, I'm so excited," said Lokedi, who won the 2022 New York Marathon on her debut at the distance and was fourth at last year's Paris Olympics.

"I have finished behind Hellen so many times, but this time I told myself it wasn't going to happen again. I fought and wanted it so bad. I loved every part of this race."

Source: CGTN