Defending champions head back to Boston

Defending champions John Korir, Sharon Lokedi, Marcel Hug and Susannah Scaroni have all been confirmed to run next year’s Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America.

The quartet will be joined by US record holders Conner Mantz and Emily Sisson.

Korir overcame a fall at the start of this year's race to win in 2:04:45 – the third fastest time in Boston Marathon history.

By claiming the olive wreath, Korir joined his brother Wesley (2012 champion) to become the first set of siblings to win the Boston Marathon.

Korir clocked a 2:02:24 win the Valencia Marathon on December 7, moving into eighth on the all-time fastest marathon list.

“Last year’s race was a very meaningful win for me and my family, and I look forward to coming back to Boston again,” said Korir. “I aim to finish first and run fast again in April.”

Lokedi timed a blistering 2:17:22 in April, breaking a course record that had stood since 2014. Lokedi’s mark shaved more than two and a half minutes from the previous record. She has since gone on to finish second at the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon.

“Boston in 2025 was beyond expectations,” she said.

“Breaking the course record, earning a victory, and racing against some of the best women in the world made it a career highlight. We’re already training hard to run it back in 2026.”

Hug earned his eighth Boston Marathon title last April, moving him into a tie for second with Jean Driscoll on the all-time Boston wins list and two behind Ernst van Dyk’s ten wheelchair division wins. Hug is also the course record holder having clocked 1:15:33 in 2024..

“Boston’s spectators and energy help push me every April,” said Hug. “Every Boston Marathon is special and unique, and I hope to add a ninth victory soon.”

Scaroni won all three American races in 2025 and her victory at Boston was the second time she has won there, backing up a win from two years previously.

“Winning the Boston Marathon on the 50th anniversary of the wheelchair division was significant and set the ball rolling for a strong season,” said Scaroni. “Boston is always a race I look forward to and will bring out the best on Marathon Monday.”

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