OBIRI, LEMMA TO DEFEND BOSTON MARATHON TITLES
By David Monti, @d9monti
(c) 2025 Race Outcomes Weekly, all rights reserved, used with permission.
(08-Jan) — Hellen Obiri of Kenya and Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia will likely be again to defend their Boston Marathon offered by Financial institution of America titles on Monday, April 20, race organizers introduced at present. Obiri, 35, the reigning Olympic Marathon bronze medalist, will likely be in search of her third consecutive Boston victory, a feat final completed by Ethiopia’s Fatuma Roba from 1997 to 1999.
“Defending a win is rarely simple, and to win the Boston Marathon twice in a row was arduous, however I’m joyful to have accomplished it,” Obiri mentioned in a media launch. The On Athletics Membership athlete continued: “On race day, I’ll once more push for the win and hope to make it three in a row.”
Obiri –the one athlete in historical past to have gained international titles in cross nation, indoor monitor, and outside monitor– should overcome stiff competitors to gather one other win. Elite athlete coordinator Mary Kate Shea has stacked the sector with a complete of 17 sub-2:23:00 girls, the quickest being Ethiopians Amane Beriso (2:14:58) and Yalemzerf Yehualaw (2:16:52). Different title contenders embrace Kenya’s Irine Cheptai (2:17:51), Mary Ngugi (2:20:22), and Sharon Lokedi (2:22:45); Romania’s Joan Melly (2:18:24); and Ethiopians Rahma Tusa (2:19:33), Buze Diriba (2:20:22), and Bedatu Hirpa (2:21:09).
A number of American girls hope to be within the combine for the rostrum, together with Keira D’Amato (2:19:12), Sara Corridor (2:20:32), Emma Bates (2:22:10), Dakotah Popehn (2:24:40), and Jess McClain (2:25:46). Bates was the highest USA lady final yr, ending twelfth in 2:27:14 after lacking final February’s Olympic Trials Marathon with an damage. The final American lady to make the rostrum in Boston was Jordan Hasay, who completed third in 2019.
Lemma, 34, has a private greatest of two:01:48 and fully dominated the 2024 version of the race. The Adidas-sponsored athlete bolted via the largely downhill first half alone in 1:00:19, and regardless that he slowed severely within the second half, he nonetheless gained by 41 seconds in 2:06:17.
“I used to be thrilled after profitable the Boston Marathon final yr, and in 2025, I do know will probably be a good greater problem to win once more,” Lemma mentioned. “I used to be unfortunate, due to an damage, not to have the ability to take part on the 2024 Olympic Video games in Paris, and I used to be not fully prepared on the Valencia Marathon final December, however I will likely be 100% prepared subsequent April as a result of the Boston Marathon is a particular occasion.”
Kenyan males have gained the Boston Marathon 25 instances, and two-time champion Evans Chebet hopes to return to the rostrum’s high step. Chebet, who has a private greatest of two:03:00, gained back-to-back in 2022 and 2023 and completed third final yr. Additionally entered from Kenya are John Korir (2:02:44 PB) –the 2024 Financial institution of America Chicago Marathon champion whose brother, Wesley, was the 2012 Boston champion– and Albert Korir (no relation), who was the 2021 TCS New York Metropolis Marathon winner.
The lads’s elite subject is intense. Twenty-one males have run sub-2:09:00 (13 sub-2:07), and 16 international locations are represented within the elite subject. 4 of the highest six finishers of final yr’s Olympic Trials are within the elite subject: Conner Mantz (2:07:47 PB), Clayton Younger (2:08:00), C.J. Albertson (2:08:17), and Zach Panning (2:09:16). Shadrack Biwott was the final American man to make the rostrum in Boston, ending third within the horrible rainstorm in 2018.
The Boston Marathon, based in 1897 by the Boston Athletic Affiliation, is the world’s oldest marathon and proudly stays a little bit of a throwback. The course is hilly, point-to-point, and never record-eligible, a decidedly out-of-fashion strategy with the entire emphasis on record-setting within the trendy period of marathon operating. Additionally, no pacemakers are used, and apart from a course file bonus of $50,000, the race doesn’t supply any time bonuses. The winners will obtain $150,000 in prize cash.
“Boston yearly brings collectively the world’s greatest every April, and this Patriots’ Day is not any totally different,” mentioned Jack Fleming, CEO of the Boston Athletic Affiliation. “Coming off an Olympic yr, high contenders worldwide have turned their consideration to Boston and hope to etch their identify into Boston Marathon lore with a victory.”
2025 Boston Maraton Elite Athlete Lists (with private greatest instances):
*Denotes Masters (40+) athletes
WOMEN –
Amane Beriso, ETH, 2:14:58 (Valencia, 2022)
Yalemzerf Yehualaw, ETH, 2:16:52 (Amsterdam, 2024)
Irene Cheptai, KEN, 2:17:51 (Chicago, 2024)
Joan Melly, ROU, 2:18:24 (Seoul, 2022)
Keira D’Amato, USA, 2:19:12 (Houston, 2022)
Rahma Tusa, ETH, 2:19:33 (Houston)
Edna Kiplagat, KEN, 2:19:50 (London, 2012)*
Buze Diriba, ETH, 2:20:22 (Chicago, 2024)
Mary Ngugi, KEN, 2:20:22 (London, 2022)
Sara Corridor, USA, 2:20:32 (Chandler, 2020)*
Bedatu Hirpa, ETH, 2:21:09 (Amsterdam, 2024)
Calli Hauger-Thackery, GBR, 2:21:34 (Berlin, 2024)
Hellen Obiri, KEN, 2:21:38 (Boston, 2023)
Emma Bates, USA, 2:22:10 (Boston, 2023)
Sharon Cherop, KEN, 2:22:28 (Berlin, 2013)*
Desiree Linden, USA, 2:22:38 (Boston, 2011)*
Sharon Lokedi, KEN, 2:22:45 (Boston, 2024)
Viola Chepngeno, KEN, 2:23:23 (Capetown, 2024)
Sara Vaughn, USA, 2:23:24 (Chicago, 2023)
Lindsay Flanagan, USA, 2:23:31 (Chicago, 2024)
Stacy Ndiwa, KEN, 2:23:42 (Chicago, 2024)
Gabby Rooker, USA, 2:24:29 (Chicago, 2024)
Kellyn Taylor, USA, 2:24:29 (Duluth, 2018)
Dakotah Popehn, USA, 2:24:40 (Chicago, 2023)
Jackie Gaughan, USA, 2:24:40 (Sacramento)
Nell Rojas, USA, 2:24:51 (Boston, 2023)
Cynthia Limo, KEN, 2:25:10 (Hamburg, 2024)
Lily Partridge, GBR, 2:25:12 (Valencia, 2023)
Angie Orjuela, COL, 2:25:35 (Berlin, 2023) NR
Jess McClain, USA, 2:25:46 (Orlando, 2024)
Lauren Hagans, USA, 2:25:47 (Chicago, 2024)
Tristin Colley, USA, 2:25:58 (Chicago, 2023)
Annie Frisbie, USA, 2:26:18 (New York Metropolis, 2021)
Stephanie Bruce, USA, 2:28:41 (Sacramento, 2024)*
Anne-Marie Blaney, USA, 2:29:25 (Chicago, 2024)
Annie Heffernan, USA, 2:30:26 (Sacramento, 2024)
Kodi Kleven, USA, 2:30:43 (St. George, 2024)
Hannah Lindholm, SWE, 2:31:18 (Seville, 2024)*
Lindsey Bradley, USA, 2:31:46 (Indianapolis, 2024)
Sarah Reiter, USA, 2:31:58 (Duluth, 2023)
Diana Bogantes, CRC, 2:32:08 (Valencia, 2023) NR
Jessie Cardin, USA, 2:33:34 (Chicago, 2022)
Ashlee Powers, USA, 2:33:40 (Twin Cities, 2024)
Kaylee Flanagan, USA, 2:34:03 (Berlin, 2024)
Mimi Smith, USA, 2:34:24 (Chicago, 2023)
Rachel Hannah, CAN, 2:34:33 (Toronto, 2024
Megan O’Neil, USA, 2:34:55 (St. Paul, 2024)
Anna Benedettini, USA, 2:35:12 (Valley Cottage, 2023)
Hailey Bowes, USA, 2:35:36 (Chicago, 2023)
Rena Elmer, USA, 2:35:45 (Duluth, 2024)*
Veronica Eder, USA, 2:35:46 (Orlando, 2024)
Claire Benjamin, USA, 2:35:53 (Sacramento, 2023)
Katy Fleuhr, USA, 2:35:55 (Chicago, 2023)
Amanda Seashore, USA, 2:35:59 (Indianapolis, 2024)
Abby McNulty, USA, 2:36:00 (Sacramento, 2023)
Sydney Devore, USA, 2:36:01 (NYC, 2023)
Stephanie Rouse, USA, 2:36:20 (Sacramento, 2023)
Brittney Corridor, USA, 2:36:28 (Valley Cottage, 2023)
Lucy Dobbs, USA, 2:36:33 (Indianapolis, 2023)
Emily Sullivan, USA, 2:36:41 (NYC, 2024)
Tabor Hemming, USA, 2:36:59 (Sacramento, 2024)
Tammy Hsieh, USA, 2:37:00 (Sacramento, 2023)
Sarah Czuprynski, USA, 2:37:21 (Sacramento, 2024)
Erika Fleuhr, USA, 2:38:00 (Berlin, 2024)
Margaret Vido, USA, 2:38:06 (Sacramento, 2023)
Lianne Pagano, USA, 2:38:26 (Sacramento, 2023)
Allie Hackett, USA, 2:38:54 (Duluth, 2023)
Dot McMahan, USA, 2:38:34 (Orlando, 2024)*
Kate Bazeley, CAN, 2:39:30 (Toronto, 2024)*
Meriah Earle, USA, 2:39:46 (Orlando, 2024)*
Laurie Knowles, USA, 2:41:05 (Duluth, 2024)*
Melissa Perlman, USA, 2:42:50 (Chicago, 2025)*
April Lund, USA, 2:43:35 (Indianapolis, 2023)*
Amber Inexperienced, USA, 2:45:37 (St. George, 2023)*
Amber Thielbar, USA, 2:45:45 (North Bend, 2024)*
MEN –
Sisay Lemma, ETH, 2:01:48 (Valencia, 2023)
John Korir, KEN, 2:02:44 (Chicago, 2024)
Evans Chebet, KEN, 2:03:00 (Valencia, 2020)
Cybrian Kotut, KEN, 2:03:22 (Berlin, 2024)
Haymanot Alew, ETH, 2:03:31 (Berlin, 2024)
Daniel Mateiko, KEN, 2:04:24 (Valencia, 2024)
Alphonce Felix Simbu, TAN, 2:04:38 (Valencia, 2024)
Lelisa Desisa, ETH, 2:04:45 (Dubai, 2013)
Victor Kiplangat, UGA, 2:05:09 (Hamburg, 2022)
Asefa Boki, ETH, 2:05:40 (Amsterdam, 2024)
Tebello Ramakongoana, LES, 2:06:18 (Xiamen, 2025) NR
Abel Kipchumba, KEN, 2:06:49 (Berlin, 2022)
Albert Korir, KEN, 2:06:57 (New York Metropolis, 2023)
Tsegay Weldlibanos, ERI, 2:07:25 (Sacramento, 2024)
Patrick Tiernan, AUS, 2:07:45 (Houston, 2024)
Conner Mantz, USA, 2:07:47 (Chicago, 2023)
Clayton Younger, USA, 2:08:00 (Chicago, 2023)
Rory Linkletter, CAN, 2:08:01 (Seville, 2024)
C.J. Albertson, USA, 2:08:17 (Chicago, 2024)
Amanuel Mesel, ERI, 2:08:17 (Valencia, 2013)
Erenjia Jia, CHN, 2:08:32 (Berlin, 2024)
Zach Panning, USA, 2:09:16 (Chicago, 2024)
Colin Bennie, USA, 2:09:38 (Chandler, 2020)
Reed Fischer, USA, 2:10:14 (Chicago, 2024)
Tesfu Tewelde, ERI, 2:10:21 (St. Paul, 2024)
Wesley Kiptoo, KEN, 2:10:28 (Chicago, 2023)
Johannes Motschmann, GER, 2:10:39 (London, 2024)
Nathan Martin, USA, 2:10:45 (Duluth, 2023)
Ryan Ford, USA, 2:11:08 (New York Metropolis, 2024)
Colin Mickow, USA, 2:11:22 (Chandler, 2020)
Turner Wiley, USA, 2:11:55 (Chicago, 2024)
Yemane Haileselassie, ERI, 2:11:59 (Honolulu, 2024)
Robert Miranda, USA, 2:12:07 (Sacramento, 2024)
Charlie Sweeney, USA, 2:12:23 (Chicago, 2024)
Will Norris, USA, 2:12:33 (St. Paul, 2024)
JP Flavin, USA, 2:12:34 (Chicago, 2024)
Joseph Whelan, USA, 2:13:29 (Duluth, 2019)
Ilie Corneschi, ROU, 2:13:39 (Berlin, 2022)
Erik Linden, USA, 2:14:15 (Sacramento, 2024)
Ryan Eiler, USA, 2:14:22 (Boston, 2024)
Josh Kalapos, USA, 2:14:26 (Orlando, 2024)
Lyle O’Brien, USA, 2:14:29 (Orlando, 2024)
Ben Kendell, USA, 2:15:11 (Chicago, 2024)
Jacob Heslington, USA, 2:15:12 (Orlando, 2024)
Primoz Kobe, SLO, 2:15:37 (Rotterdam, 2022)*
Tim McGowan, USA, 2:15:49 (Sacramento, 2024)
Andrew Bowman, USA, 2:15:50 (Pittsburgh, 2024)
Mason Jones, USA, 2:15:54 (Indianapolis, 2023)
Louis Serafini, USA, 2:15:55 (Duluth, 2022)
Yudai Fukuda, JPN, 2:15:57 (Gold Coast, 2024)
Thomas Toth, CAN, 2:15:57 (Valley Cottage, 2023)
Mitch Ammons, USA, 2:16:01 (Valley Cottage, 2023)
Hiroaki Furukawa, JPN, 2:16:14 (Kumamoto, 2024)
Grant O’Connor, USA, 2:16:17 (Boston, 2024)
Aaron Davidson, USA, 2:16:30 (Duluth, 2023)
Alex Milne, GBR, 2:16:30 (London, 2023)
Kevin Kirk, USA, 2:16:33 (Twin Cities, 2024)
Michael Blaszczyk, USA, 2:16:43 (Sacramento, 2023)
Joost Plaetinck, USA, 2:16:47 (Sacramento, 2023)
Kyle Johnson, USA, 2:16:59 (Duluth, 2024)
Prescott Leach, USA, 2:17:28 (Sacramento, 2023)*
Jesse Davis, USA, 2:17:30 (Indianapolis, 2023)*
Dustin Bybee, USA, 2:19:48 (St. George, 2023)*
Jonathan Kotter, USA, 2:20:08 (St. George, 2023)*
David Cisewski, USA, 2:20:53 (Chicago, 2023)*
Juan Vidal Ribero, ESP, 2:22:14 (Valencia, 2023)*
Sam Morse, USA, 2:22:15 (Boston, 2024)*
Pablo Villalobos Bazaga, ESP, 2:22:32 (Seville, 2024)*
Iain Hunter, USA, 2:23:45 (St. George, 2023)*
Muktar Edris, ETH, Debut / 1:00:52 HM
Barry Keane, IRL, Debut/ 1:02:35 HM