Kenya’s elite marathoners have vowed to claim victory in both the men’s and women’s races during today's Boston Marathon.
Speaking during the pre-race press conference, defending women’s champion Hellen Obiri said she is targeting a historic three-peat as she headlines a formidable Kenyan charge in the iconic World Marathon Major. "Sometimes as athletes, we can make things happen, and I am here to make things happen and make history," she said.
Obiri first tasted glory in 2023, powering to victory in
2:21:38 ahead of Ethiopia’s Amane Beriso (2:21:50) and Israel’s Lonah Salpeter
(2:21:57).
She returned last year to successfully defend her crown in
2:22:37, leading a Kenyan podium sweep with Sharon Lokedi (2:22:45) and veteran
Edna Kiplagat (2:23:21).
A win today would elevate Obiri into an exclusive club,
becoming only the fifth woman in history to claim three consecutive Boston
Marathon titles. Only the USA's Bobbi Gibb (1966-1968), Sara Mae Berman
(1969-1971), Germany's Uta Pipping (1994-1996) and Ethiopia's Fatuma Roba
(1997-1999) have achieved the feat.
But Obiri is under no illusion about the challenge that lies
ahead. "I am excited to be here in Boston. The field this year is so
strong, but I will give my best to secure top honours," Obiri noted. Also
gunning for a third Boston crown is Kenya’s ageless wonder over the 42km
distance, Edna Kiplagat. At 45, the
two-time world champion remains a force over the 42km distance and is hoping to
roll back the years once more. "Since making my debut in Boston and
winning, I have been doing extremely well," she said.
Kiplagat made her debut in Boston in 2017, where she
outpaced the entire field to finish in 2:21:52 ahead of Bahrain's Rose Chelimo
(2:22:51) and the host's Jordan Hasay (2:23:00).
In 2019, she clocked 2:24:13 for second place just behind
Ethiopia's Worknesh Degefa (2:23:31). She reclaimed her crown in 2021, leading
a Kenyan top-three finish after clocking 2:25:09 ahead of Mary Ngugi (2:25:20)
and Monica Ngige (2:25:32). "I am glad to be back in Boston to compete
against such an elite cast of female runners. I will do my best and run my race
on Monday and hope for a good outcome," Kiplagat said.
However, the Kenyan duo will face stiff competition from
Ethiopia’s Beriso, the 2023 world marathon champion, who returns to Boston
seeking redemption after finishing second in 2023. Beriso has the fastest time
in the field— 2:14:58 from her 2022 Valencia triumph. "I am well prepared
for the race, and I hope to run a good race and hopefully win," she said
In the men’s race, two-time Boston champion Evans Chebet is
out to reclaim the crown after a third-place finish last year. "I am happy
to be back here. Last year, I finished third because I had a slight
injury," Chebet said. "My body feels Okay now, and I am ready to run
on Monday and win," he said.
Chebet claimed the Boston title in 2022 (2:06:51) and
defended it in 2023 (2:05:52) but fell short last year, finishing third in
2:07:22. Joining Chebet in the Kenyan assault is Chicago Marathon winner John
Korir, who will be running with purpose beyond the podium. "I will not
only be running to win the Boston Marathon but also to raise money for children
back home for the Transcend running academy."
"Part of the money I will make will go into the academy
to grow the children's talents so that they may one day come to Boston and
compete," Korir said. A win in Boston would also be deeply personal for
Korir, as he looks to emulate his elder brother Wesley Korir, who captured the
title in 2012.
"Winning Boston will be huge for me because my brother
also won here. I aim to win and follow in his footsteps," he added. But
standing in their way is defending champion Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia, who will
be hoping to fend off the Kenyan surge despite a few injury concerns. "I
have a slight injury this so I will change my system if running this year and
hopefully I will win," Lemma noted.
