Korir wins Boston Marathon, Lokedi upstages Obiri
Korir wins Boston Marathon, Lokedi upstages Obiri
Kenyan distance runners Sharon Lokedi and John Korir pose for pictures with the trophy. Photo: AFP
Kenya's John Korir stormed to victory in the Boston Marathon on Monday, while compatriot Sharon Lokedi trumped defending champion Hellen Obiri in the women's race.
Korir, whose victory in the 2024 Chicago Marathon in a time of 2:02:44 made him the sixth fastest marathoner in history, clocked 2hr 04min 45sec for the win.
The 28-year-old's feat emulated that of his brother Wesley Korir, the now-Kenyan politician, having won in Boston in 2012 on his first attempt in five appearances.
Tanzania's 2017 world bronze medallist Alphonce Felix Simbu was second, just holding off Kenya's Cybrian Kotut in a photo-finish in 2:05.04.
The first American home was Conner Mantz in fourth, missing out on a podium place by just four seconds, a time that was also just eight seconds off Ryan Hall's fastest US marathon time ever.
Lokedi timed 2:17:22 in the women's race, outpacing Obiri by 19 seconds, with Yalemserf Yehualaw rounding out the podium.
She smashed the previous course record of 2:19:59 set by Ethiopia's Buzunesh Deba in 2014.
The men's field included 21 sub-2:09 runners, but none could get close to Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai's course record of 2:03.02 set back in 2011.
US Olympian Mantz took the lead group of 21 runners through the 5km mark in 14:20 in a marathon which first saw men compete back in 1897.
By the 10km mark, hit in 28:52, defending champion Sisay Lemma had taken up the front running, and the pack fell to 16 5km later.
Rory Linkletter led Lemma through halfway in 1:01.52, but the pace proved too much for the Ethiopian, who promptly dropped out just after 1:19 on the road.
Coming to the business end of the race, Korir, Mukhtar Edris, Daniel Mateiko and two-time winner Evans Chebet were all in the running in a lead field 13 deep, Mantz doing the majority of the pace setting.
Korir made his move around the 34km mark, surging to take a lead he would never cede.
He quickly built it up to nearly a minute as the others scrambled not only to reel him in but also fight for podium spots.
Korir held his nerve as Kotut and Simbu surged through themselves to stage their own mini-battle for second place, Mantz doing well for fourth as Edris faded into fifth spot.
Obiri had been looking to become the first woman since 1999 to win three consecutive Boston Marathon titles, something only four women have ever done.
Only Deba had broken 2:20 pace in Boston, but a group of 14 remained on track for that mark at the halfway point.
The pack split, but Obiri had not counted on Lokedi's electric finish, the 31-year-old pulling clear at the death for a new Boston record, with 32,000 participants on the heels of the elite runners. (AFP)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTHK
12 minutes ago
- RTHK
Australia fight back in WTC final against South Africa
Australia fight back in WTC final against South Africa Australia players celebrate on the field during day one of the ICC World Test Championship. Photo: AFP Mitchell Starc led Australia's recovery as the defending champions fought back with the ball against South Africa on the first day of the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Australia were dismissed for just 212 after South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss in bowler-friendly conditions, with pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada taking 5-51. But at stumps South Africa had slumped to 43-4 in reply, a deficit of 169 runs, as Starc finished the day with figures of 2-10 in seven overs. South Africa's Marco Jansen, who took 3-49, admitted it had been a mixed day for the Proteas. "Bowling-wise I think we did really well," he said. "They bowled well and we are going to have our work cut out for us tomorrow." Given the strength of both teams' pace attacks, the key question was always likely to be which side could put enough runs on the scoreboard. Australia's total certainly looked a lot healthier when left-arm quick Starc had Aiden Markram playing on for a duck before dismissing Ryan Rickelton (16) to leave South Africa floundering at 19-2. Novice number three Wiaan Mulder, dropped on one, was bowled by Australia captain Pat Cummins, having taken 44 balls to make six. And shortly before the close, Josh Hazlewood bowled Tristan Stubbs. Australia had earlier slumped to 67-4 at lunch. But star batsman Steve Smith (66) and all-rounder Beau Webster (72) repaired the damage with a fifth-wicket stand of 79. "Two good bowling outfits, it was tough work for the batters," Webster told the BBC. "We've got a score on the board and to grab four scalps at the end of the day, I think we're pretty happy." Webster, however, would have been lbw to Rabada for eight if South Africa had reviewed an original not out decision. "There were a couple of reviews throughout the day which could've gone either way," said Webster. "The degree of seam movement up the slope was tricky." Australia were in desperate trouble in the early overs, reduced to 16-2 after losing Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in a single Rabada over. The 30-year-old, who has more than 300 Test wickets, is playing his first Test after serving a one-month ban for cocaine use earlier this year. "It means a lot for me playing for South Africa, I give my all each and every time. I am so happy to do the job out there," Rabada told Sky Sports. Australia have struggled to find an opening partner for Khawaja since David Warner's retirement 17 months ago, with Marnus Labuschagne the latest batsman tried out. The 30-year-old, without a Test century for nearly two years, battled hard for 17 off 56 balls before falling to towering left-armer Jansen. Australia had been in similar trouble in the 2023 final against India across London at The Oval, only for Smith and Travis Head to both score hundreds as they turned the match in their favour. Head, however, could only manage 11 before he glanced Jansen, with Kyle Verreynne holding an excellent diving one-handed catch. Smith went to fifty before falling to part-time spinner Markram after Jansen, at slip, clung on at the third attempt. Australia lost their last five wickets for just 20 runs, with Rabada ending the innings when he bowled Starc. Rabada's haul meant he surpassed Allan Donald's tally of 330 Test wickets in his 71st match compared to the retired South Africa great's 72 Tests. "That's awesome," said Rabada. "Allan Donald, what a legend, it means a lot to get past someone like him." (AFP)
RTHK
18 hours ago
- RTHK
Brazil seal World Cup berth; Uruguay on the brink
Brazil seal World Cup berth; Uruguay on the brink Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior scored the only goal of the match just before the break. Photo: AFP Brazil booked their place at the 2026 World Cup in North America with a 1-0 home victory over Paraguay, the first win of new coach Carlo Ancelotti's reign. The five-time world champions – the only team to appear in every edition of the World Cup – punched their ticket to the finals in Canada, the United States and Mexico thanks to Vinicius Jr. The Real Madrid star fired Brazil into the lead in Sao Paulo, bundling home from close range in the 44th minute after a cross from new Manchester United signing Matheus Cunha. Uruguay's 2-0 victory over Venezuela in Montevideo earlier Tuesday had raised the prospect of qualification for both Brazil and Paraguay at the Corinthians Arena. Paraguay were left needing only a point to qualify after Venezuela's defeat, while Brazil knew they could advance with a win. In the event it was Brazil who seized the opportunity presented by Venezuela's loss with Vinicius scoring the only goal just before half-time. A lacklustre Brazil had struggled to create many chances up until that point, with Cunha squandering a golden chance in the 35th minute after heading wide from point-blank range. But Cunha made up for that miss with a key part in the goal, capitalising on good work from Raphinha to dart into the box and whip in a low cross for Vinicius, who stabbed home the finish. The win lifts Brazil into third place in the South American standings with 25 points from 16 games, guaranteeing them a top-six finish and an automatic qualifying berth. The defeat leaves Paraguay with 24 points, meaning they need one point to secure their first World Cup appearance since 2010. Ecuador can join Brazil by sealing qualification with a point against Peru in Lima later Tuesday. In other games, Uruguay edged closer to qualification with their win over Venezuela while Chile were eliminated with defeat to Bolivia. Goals from Rodrigo Aguirre and Giorgian de Arrascaeta secured all three points for Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay to leave the two-time world champions firmly on course for a place in next year's finals. Like Paraguay, Uruguay need only a point from their final two games to qualify. Venezuela, who are bidding to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in the nation's history, are seventh with 18 points from 16 games. World Cup holders Argentina, who have already qualified, meanwhile came from behind to frustrate Colombia with a 1-1 draw in Buenos Aires. Liverpool star Luis Diaz fired Colombia into the lead with a superb 24th minute goal, and the Colombians were given a further boost midway through the second half when the world champions were reduced to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez's dismissal. But Colombia's hopes of a vital win were dashed nine minutes from time when Thiago Almada weaved into the box and found the target to level. The top six finishers in South America qualify automatically for the World Cup, with the seventh-placed team advancing to an intercontinental playoff. Elsewhere, Bolivia defeated Chile 2-0 to end the former South American champions' hopes of qualification. It marks the third straight World Cup that Chile have missed out. The loss continues a dramatic fall from grace for 'La Roja', who won back-to-back Copa Americas in 2015 and 2016. (AFP)
RTHK
a day ago
- RTHK
Netherlands, Finland cruise in World Cup qualifying
Netherlands, Finland cruise in World Cup qualifying Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk was among the scorers in the Netherlands' 8-0 rout of Malta. Photo: AFP Netherlands maintained their winning start to European 2026 World Cup qualifying by thrashing Malta 8-0, while their group rivals Poland lost to Finland in a match interrupted due to a medical emergency in the crowd. The results leave Finland top of Group G on seven points, one ahead of the Dutch who have played two matches less. Poland sit third on six points after three played. In Groningen, the Dutch raced into a three-goal lead against their overawed opponents inside the opening 20 minutes. Memphis Depay converted from the spot on nine minutes, before doubling the lead with a rifled finish from the edge of the box seven minutes later. Depay's brace brought the 31-year-old to 50 international goals – level with former Manchester United and Arsenal striker Robin van Persie as the Netherlands' all-time leading goalscorer. Captain Virgil van Dijk killed the match off as a tie when he stepped onto the ball and arrowed a right-footed finish into the bottom corner from 20 yards. The Oranje then turned on the afterburners inside the final half-hour as Xavi Simons, Donyell Malen, who got two, Noa Lang and Micky van de Ven all netted. Poland began life without leading goalscorer Robert Lewandowski in miserable fashion as they went down 2-1 in Helsinki. The 36-year-old played 158 times for Poland, scoring 85 goals, but announced Sunday he was no longer available for selection so long as coach Michal Probierz remained in charge. The Poles fell behind to Joel Pohjanpalo's 31st-minute penalty, before Benjamin Kallman added a second nine minutes after the break. Jakub Kiwior pulled one back in the 69th minute, shortly before the match was interrupted when a spectator fell ill. After a lengthy stoppage, the final 10 minutes of play resumed but Poland were unable to find an equaliser despite applying relentless pressure on the hosts' goal. Elsewhere, Serbia eased past Andorra 3-0 to move to third in Group K on four points courtesy of an Aleksandar Mitrovic hat-trick. They trail Albania in second by one point and sit level with Latvia after those sides played out a 1-1 draw in Riga. Austria beat San Marino 4-0 to go second in Group H, three points behind leaders Bosnia and Hercegovina who have played an extra match. Marko Arnautovic scored a brace inside the opening quarter-hour, as Michael Gregoritsch and Christoph Baumgartner completed the scoring in Serravalle. Romania defeated Cyprus 2-0, but dropped to third in the group after Austria's second win from two outings. (AFP)
