Major challenge ahead for Korir in Boston

John Korir will have his work cut out if he wants to go back-to-back in the Boston Marathon presented Bank of America.

Last year’s winner will have to fight off a handful of Abbott World Marathon Major winners and a World Champion after organisers named the men’s field for the iconic race on April 20.

Korir is one of eight of last year’s top ten who will return to Boston.

Alongside the Kenyan is runner-up Alphonce Felix Simbu who after Boston went on to win a thrilling sprint finish at the World Championships in Tokyo.

Cybrian Kotut, who finished third in 2025, also returns.

Lining up at Boston for the first time since 2023 is Kenya’s Benson Kipruto who by winning the TCS New York City Marathon in November became the first person to win all three American Majors.

Kipruto’s trio of US wins began in Boston in 2021.

“Boston holds a special place in my heart as I won my first Major there in 2021 and have finished third twice,” said Kipruto. “I look forward to starting my 2026 season and racing a fast group of men in April.”

Additional international stars include Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands, the 2021 Olympic silver medalist and 2024 TCS New York City Marathon winner, and Hailemaryam Kiros of Ethiopia, the 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon champion.

Ethiopia’s Lemi Berhanu, the 2016 Boston Marathon champion, returns on the tenth anniversary of his 2:12:45 win.

Wanting to go better in 2026 are Canada’s Rory Linkletter, sixth last year in 2:07:02, and Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana, who was eighth in 2:07:19.

Hoping to challenge on his Boston debut is Alex Masai, who was third at Chicago in 2:04:37.

In addition to previously announced American record holder Conner Mantz, a full cadre of US talent will toe the line in Hopkinton.

Two-time Olympic medalist Galen Rupp, 2024 Olympic marathoner Clayton Young, 2:06:53 star Biya Simbassa, and Ryan Ford, the tenth-place finisher from 2025, will compete for the podium on Patriots’ Day.

Zouhair Talbi and CJ Albertson, who have career best finishes of fifth (2023) and seventh (2024), respectively, at Boston, return as well. Talbi also recently won the Houston Marathon in 2:05:45.

Marcel Hug of Switzerland leads the professional wheelchair field, aiming for his ninth Boston win and fourth in a row. As course record holder, Hug will battle perennial contender Daniel Romanchuk, a two-time Boston winner and four-time Paralympic medalist.

Jetze Plat (Netherlands) and Sho Watanabe (Japan), third and fourth a year ago, return, as does Britain’s David Weir, third in 2024.