Ethiopia and Kenya reign at the Boston Marathon as Lemma wins and Obiri

Apr 16, 2024 - 12:11 Updated: Apr 16, 2024 - 12:18

Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma and Kenya’s Hellen Obiri were victorious at the Boston Marathon on Monday, winning the World Athletics Platinum Label road race in 2:06:17 and 2:22:37 respectively.

For Lemma, it was a race of redemption, following two previous outings in the US city that ended in disappointment. His winning time is the fourth fastest in Boston history.

Obiri, meanwhile, successfully defended her title, notching up her third victory in a row in a World Marathon Majors race and leading a Kenyan sweep of the podium.

The two races played out in contrasting fashion; Lemma made an early break in the men’s race and built up a huge lead, eventually winning by 41 seconds. Conversely, in the women’s contest, the real racing began only in the final few miles with Obiri eventually finishing just eight seconds ahead of fellow Kenyan Sharon Lokedi.

Obiri, displaying the same finishing strength that has carried the 34-year-old to many major victories and medals, charged through the line in 2:22:37, earning her third marathon victory in what was just her fourth career race over the distance.

Lokedi, also a relatively inexperienced marathon runner, claimed second place in 2:22:45, while Kiplagat completed the Kenyan podium sweep in 2:23:21.

“I knew that Sharon was very strong so I tried my best at the end,” Obiri said after the race. “I tried to push, but she was still close behind me. To win here makes me so very happy.

“When I won here last year, I was not that familiar with the marathon. This year my training was perfect and I trusted everything we were doing.

“Winning is something very precious to me,” she added. “After winning here, I hope I’ll be chosen to compete at the Olympics.”

Leading result

Women

1 Hellen Obiri (KEN) 2:22:37

2 Sharon Lokedi (KEN) 2:22:45

3 Edna Kiplagat (KEN) 2:23:21

4 Buze Diriba (ETH) 2:24:04

5 Senbere Teferi (ETH) 2:24:04

6 Mary Ngugi-Cooper (KEN) 2:24:24

7 Workenesh Edesa (ETH) 2:24:47

8 Fatima Gardadi (MAR) 2:24:53