The 2026 Boston Marathon will have a familiar look as all four champions will be back to defend their titles on April 20.
John Korir, fresh off a win at last Sunday’s Valencia Marathon, rebounded at this year’s Boston race after he fell near the start and his bib became detached — but still roared to a 2:04:45 win in the men’s race which is the third fastest time in Boston Marathon history.
He was announced by the Boston Athletic Association as one of the headliners of the race on Thursday.
“Last year’s race was a very meaningful win for me and my family, and I look forward to coming back to Boston again,” Korir said in a statement. “I aim to finish first and run fast again in April.”
With his victory in Boston, Korir joined his brother Wesley (who won in 2012) as the first brothers to both win the race.
Sharon Lokedi kicked past Hellen Obiri in the closing moment’s of this year’s race in dramatic fashion to win the women’s title in 2:17:22 and broke the course record along the way. The win also denied Obiri a historic third straight title in Boston, but Lokedi could flip the narrative and build what could be her own remarkable push to the race’s record books.
“Boston in 2025 was beyond expectations. Breaking the course record, earning a victory, and racing against some of the best women in the world made 2025’s race a career highlight,” Lokedi said. “We’re already training hard to run it back in 2026.”
Conner Mantz and Emily Sisson lead the charge for the American men and women, with Mantz looking for podium glory after finishing fourth in April’s race and was just four seconds off of being in third place at 2:05:08.
“Finishing fourth a year ago was very close to my goal of placing in the top three,” Mantz said. “I’m eager to return to Boston and race against the best of the best again. Boston’s full of history and I’m working to give it my all every step towards Boylston Street.”
Sisson will make her Boston debut and, like Mantz, is an American record holder at marathon distance. For the first time since 1978 both men’s and women’s American record holders will be in the mix at the Boston Marathon.
In the men’s wheelchair, Marcel Hug won his eighth Boston Marathon title in April to put him in a tie for second with Jean Driscoll in all-time wins. He will be back to push the record even further, while Susannah Scaroni pulled off a sweep of the American portion of the marathon majors this year. She has her sights on possibly pulling off the feat again in 2026.
“On the occasion of 130 days away from the 130th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, it is fitting to preview what could be considered the strongest field of international and American stars for April’s race,” Jack Fleming, President and CEO of the Boston Athletic Association said. “Each of these six athletes have decorated careers and are focused on meeting the moment and making history come Patriots’ Day.”
The full field of the professional races will be revealed in January.
