Defending champion John Korir of Kenya won the Boston Marathon for the second consecutive year, setting a new course record of 2 hours, 1 minute, and 52 seconds. The time surpassed the previous record of 2:03:02, set by Geoffrey Mutai in 2011, by 70 seconds. Korir pulled away from the pack near Heartbreak Hill and maintained a 40-second lead in the final stretch. He expressed surprise at his record-breaking performance, stating, 'I knew I would defend my title, but I didn’t know I could run my fastest.' Korir received $150,000 for the win and an additional $50,000 for the record.
In the women's race, Sharon Lokedi also defended her title, finishing in 2:18:51, the second-fastest time in race history behind her own 2025 record of 2:17:22. Lokedi led from the Newton Hills and maintained her advantage to the finish. She was followed by Loice Chemnung (2:19:35), Mary Ngugi-Cooper (2:20:07), and Mercy Chelangat (2:20:30).
The race featured the fastest field in Boston Marathon history, with Alphonce Felix Simbu of Tanzania (2:02:47) and Kenya’s Benson Kipruto (2:02:50) also breaking the previous course record. American Zouhair Talbi ran the fastest time ever for a U.S. male, finishing fifth in 2:03:45. In the women's race, Jess McClain set a new American record.
The race began in chilly conditions (30s Fahrenheit) but warmed to 45°F (7°C) by midday, providing a slight tailwind. Over 30,000 runners participated, including 50 wheelchair athletes who started first. The event marked the 130th running of the marathon, held on April 20.
Korir’s victory follows his brother Wesley Korir’s win in 2012, making them the only siblings to both win the Boston Marathon. The race also honored Jack Fultz, the 1976 champion, who served as grand marshal. Fultz noted the stark contrast between the 2026 race’s cold start and his victory in near-100°F (38°C) heat in 1976.
The Boston Marathon remains the world’s oldest annual marathon, with this year’s edition featuring record-breaking performances and a dominant Kenyan presence in both the men’s and women’s divisions.