Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia won the Boston Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 6 minutes, 17 seconds, becoming the 10th fastest in the history of the race. Hellen Obiri defended her title in the women’s race, beating Sharon Lokedi. An interesting fact is that Obiri is the first woman to win back-to-back Boston Marathons since 2005. Lemma was the fastest in the field and separated himself from the pack in Ashland, securing a lead of more than half a mile. He ran the first half in 60:19, significantly faster than the course record pace set by Geoffrey Mutai in 2011. Mohamed Esa finished second, 41 seconds behind Lemma, and Evans Chebet came in third.
On this particular day, the runners had to deal with sunshine and temperatures in the mid-60s, which made hydration vital. Obiri ran amongst a large lead pack through Brookline before breaking away and securing victory. Lokedi finished second, with Edna Kiplagat taking third place. In the men’s wheelchair race, Switzerland’s Marcel Hug set a course record, despite crashing into a barrier due to taking a turn too quickly. It was Hug’s seventh Boston win and 14th major marathon victory. In the women’s wheelchair race, Britain’s Eden Rainbow-Cooper won her first major marathon, becoming the third youngest woman to triumph in the Boston wheelchair race.
Hopkinton marked its 100th anniversary as the starting line for the Boston Marathon, sending off a field of 17 former champions and nearly 30,000 other runners. The event was accompanied by the anniversary of the 2013 bombing at the finish line, which killed three individuals and injured many others. The town of Hopkinton celebrated the historical significance of being the starting point for the Boston Marathon, as the field embarked on the 26.2-mile journey to Boylston Street. The day saw sunny skies, minimal wind, and temperatures reaching the 60s. Athletes splashed water on themselves for relief as they passed through Natick.
The race began at 6 a.m., with Massachusetts National Guard members kicking off the event. The start line was painted with “100 years in Hopkinton” to commemorate the town’s role in the race’s history. The festive atmosphere was a mix of celebrating the race’s tradition and remembering the tragic events of the 2013 bombings. The annual race coincided with Patriots’ Day and One Boston Day, honoring the start of the Revolutionary War and remembering the victims of the marathon bombings, respectively. At the finish line on Boylston Street, Gov. Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and members of the victims’ families laid wreaths in tribute. The spirit of unity and resilience was on full display as the Boston Marathon brought together athletes and spectators alike in celebration and remembrance.
