The 2025 Boston Marathon witnessed remarkable performances across its professional races, held on Marathon Monday. Both wheelchair and running competitions showcased athletes pushing their limits to achieve personal bests and set new records. John Korir emerged victorious in the men's division, following in his brother Wesley Korir's footsteps who won in 2012. Sharon Lokedi claimed the women's title with a stunning course-record performance. In the wheelchair categories, Marcel Hug continued his dominance by securing another victory, while Susannah Scaroni triumphed in the women's section after overcoming injury setbacks.
On the auspicious day of the 129th Boston Marathon, Kenyan athlete John Korir marked history by winning the men’s race. Korir surged ahead decisively around mile 20, maintaining his lead until the finish line, clocking an unofficial time of 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 45 seconds. His achievement is particularly noteworthy as he becomes the first sibling of a former champion to win this prestigious event since his brother Wesley Korir achieved victory in 2012 with a slower pace. Additionally, Korir had previously demonstrated his prowess by clinching the Chicago Marathon crown in October.
In the women's competition, Sharon Lokedi displayed incredible endurance, managing a late surge that distanced her from fellow competitor Hellen Obiri, ultimately shattering the previous course record set in 2014 by Ethiopian runner Buzunesh Deba. Lokedi completed the marathon in an impressive unofficial time of 2 hours, 17 minutes, and 22 seconds, surpassing Deba’s earlier mark of 2:19:59. This marked a significant milestone for Lokedi, who managed to edge out Obiri, the two-time defending champion, finishing second this year.
Meanwhile, the men’s wheelchair race saw little suspense as Swiss athlete Marcel Hug, affectionately known as "The Silver Bullet," cruised to victory in the men’s wheelchair category for the eighth time. Demonstrating unmatched superiority, Hug finished far ahead of his competitors with an unofficial time of 1 hour, 21 minutes, and 34 seconds. Hug's consistency has made him a perennial favorite in marathons worldwide, including multiple victories in Berlin, New York, and Chicago.
Susannah Scaroni, representing Washington state, reclaimed her title in the women’s wheelchair division, achieving victory one year after being forced to withdraw due to injuries. Scaroni comfortably crossed the finish line with an unofficial time of 1 hour, 35 minutes, and 20 seconds, marking her second Boston Marathon championship after her initial win in 2023.
Apart from the accolades, substantial financial rewards awaited the winners. Each top finisher in both the men’s and women’s divisions received $150,000, while the wheelchair champions were awarded $50,000 each, reflecting an increase from previous years. These monetary incentives underscore the significance of the Boston Marathon on the global athletic stage.
As the Boston Marathon continues to celebrate excellence, it also reflects on past achievements. The fastest-ever recorded time in the men's division remains Geoffrey Mutai's 2011 record of 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 2 seconds. Meanwhile, Sharon Lokedi now holds the women's course record, further cementing her legacy in marathon history. The event remains a testament to human endurance and the relentless pursuit of excellence in sports.