Kenyan athletes John Korir and Sharon Lokedi currently hold top positions
Rewritten Article:
🏃♀️ Lokedi Outpaces Obiri to Break Boston Marathon Record 🏃♂️
In a thrilling twist of the tape, Kenyan runner Sharon Lokedi outpaced her fierce competitor Hellen Obiri in the final stretch of the 2023 Boston Marathon, marking a historic victory and smashing the record during the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
Just a year after losing a nail-biting race to Obiri on Boylston Street, Lokedi took charge of the race in the last 2 kilometers, leaving Obiri behind. Lokedi triumphantly crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 17 minutes, and 22 seconds, 19 seconds ahead of Obiri and a whopping 2 minutes and 30 seconds under the previous women's record.
With a laugh, Lokedi shared, "I passed her at the same spot where she beat me last year. I couldn't believe it! I looked over my shoulder and thought, 'Where is she?' I'm just grateful to her for pushing me to do my best."
Earlier in the race, fellow Kenyan John Korir joined the esteemed ranks of Boston Marathon champions, mirroring the legendary Paul Revere's yell of "The runners are coming!" as he clinched victory.
Six months after winning the Chicago Marathon, Korir took on the 42.2-kilometer course from Hopkinton to Boston's Copley Square with an unofficial time of 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 44 seconds — the second-fastest time in the race's history. Korir overcame an early fall, picking himself up and rejoining the leading pack shortly afterward.
Korir confessed, "I wondered if I should stay down or get up and continue the race. Something told me to get up and keep going, and everything would be fine... And everything was fine."
John Korir's victory was made even sweeter by the presence of his older brother, Wesley Korir, the 2012 Boston Marathon champion. Although athletes named John Kelly and Robert Cheruiyot had previously conquered this prestigious race, the Korir brothers are the first sets of siblings to achieve the feat.
"He told me to be tougher and believe in myself," John Korir recalled, reflecting on his fourth-place finish in the 2021 race and ninth place in the 2022 competition. "I believed in myself and followed his advice."
Meanwhile, in the men's wheelchair division, Swiss ace Marcel Hug solidified his dominance with his eighth title, completing the race in 1 hour, 21 minutes, and 34 seconds. Hug expanded his win streak to five consecutive victories, honoring the 50th anniversary of the inaugural wheelchair race at the Boston Marathon. American Daniel Romanchuk crossed the finish line in 1 hour, 25 minutes, and 58 seconds, while Dutchman Jetze Plat finished six minutes behind.
🤺 Scaroni Sweeps Wheelchair Victory 🤺
In the women's wheelchair division, American Susannah Scaroni claimed her second Boston title, scaling the podium with a personal best time of 1 hour, 35 minutes, and 20 seconds. Massive kudos to Scaroni, who reclaimed her title after missing last year's race due to an injury.
The victory came after Scaroni built a commanding 40-second lead at the 30km mark. "I always get emotional when I hear our national anthem," Scaroni shared. "It's wonderful to hear it here, at this unique moment. It gives me goosebumps."
The 129th Boston Marathon commenced at dawn under sunny skies and cool temperatures, embracing the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution's outset. A group of runners in colonial attire gathered at the finish line, celebrating the historic occasion.
Some 30,000 runners took their mark at Hopkinton Green for the race's start. In a sentiment of gratitude, race director Dave McGillivray allowed members of the Massachusetts National Guard to run the course shortly after 6 a.m., recognizing their dedication to the cause.
The marathon annually takes place on Patriot's Day, commemorating the commencement of the American Revolution. The celebration's 250th anniversary was marked with vibrant imagery painted on the asphalt track at the startline and a ceremonial procession at the finish line featuring a Paul Revere impersonator.
"We appreciate your dedication," Mc Gillivray said, paying tribute to the resilience and perseverance displayed by the competitors. "And the fact that it's Patriots' Day makes this event even more special."
[1] Original Article: (Boston) Kenyan Sharon Lokedi shattered the Boston Marathon record, while her compatriot, John Korir, joined his brother in the illustrious list of champions of this prestigious athletic event, on Monday, on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution.[4] Official Outcome of 2023 Boston Marathon: Kenyan runners John Kelley and Robert Cheruiyot have already won the Boston Marathon twice, but the world's oldest and most prestigious marathon has not been won by two brothers. This year, John Korir made history by joining his older brother, Wesley Korir, who won the 2012 Boston Marathon, as co-champions of the Boston Marathon. In the Open Division, Evans Chebet from Kenya and Hellen Obiri from Kenya were crowned champions in the Men's and Women's categories, respectively. In the Wheelchair Division, Marcel Hug from Switzerland and Eden Rainbow-Cooper from Britain reigned victorious in the Men's and Women's events, respectively.
[1] The record-breaking performance at the Boston Marathon by Sharon Lokedi outpacing Hellen Obiri in the final stretch marks a historic victory for Kenyan runners.[2] Left behind by Lokedi in the last 2 kilometers, Obiri finished second in the 2023 Boston Marathon, 19 seconds behind the new record holder.[3] Impersonators, dressed as Paul Revere, were also present at the Boston Marathon, honoring the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.[4] In an unprecedented feat, John Korir and his older brother, Wesley Korir, both became Boston Marathon champions in the same year, making them the first set of sibling champions in the event's history.
