The streets between Hopkinton and Boylston Street are rarely quiet on Patriots' Day, but the 129th edition of this race felt different. If you were looking for a safe bet, you probably didn't have "course record shattered by over two minutes" on your bingo card. Yet, that’s exactly what happened.
Honestly, the 2025 Boston Marathon was a masterclass in aggressive racing. We saw a new queen of the Newton Hills and a men’s winner who finally stepped out of a very long family shadow.
The Woman Who Rewrote the Boston History Books
For years, the women’s course record sat at 2:19:59, a mark set by Buzunesh Deba way back in 2014. Most experts thought that time was safe for at least another decade given how tactical the Boston course usually is. Sharon Lokedi had other plans.
The Kenyan star didn't just win; she obliterated the old record. Crossing the finish line in 2:17:22, Lokedi sliced more than two and a half minutes off the previous best. It was a staggering performance. She wasn't running against a weak field either. She had to fend off Hellen Obiri, the two-time defending champion who was chasing a historic three-peat.
Obiri finished second in 2:17:41. In almost any other year, that time would have won the race by a landslide.
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Why the 2025 Women's Race Was Different
- Pacing: Unlike the slow, cat-and-mouse games of previous years, the lead pack pushed from the jump.
- The Newton Hills: Lokedi made her move exactly where the race is usually won or lost—Mile 21.
- The Weather: It was one of those "goldilocks" days—not too hot, not too windy—which clearly helped the elite times.
John Korir and the First Family of Boston
On the men's side, John Korir took the crown with a blistering time of 2:04:45. If that name sounds familiar to marathon nerds, it should. His brother, Wesley Korir, won the Boston Marathon back in 2012.
With this victory, they became the first pair of brothers to ever win the world’s most famous marathon. John’s win was particularly impressive because he actually took a tumble early in the race. Most runners would have lost their rhythm after a fall, but Korir treated it like a minor speed bump.
He eventually broke away from a dense lead pack around the 20-mile mark. By the time he hit the final turn onto Boylston, he was alone.
The Men's Top 5 Leaderboard
- John Korir (Kenya) – 2:04:45
- Alphonce Felix Simbu (Tanzania) – 2:05:04
- Cybrian Kotut (Kenya) – 2:05:04
- Conner Mantz (USA) – 2:05:08
- Muktar Edris (Ethiopia) – 2:05:59
American fans had a lot to cheer for, too. Conner Mantz put up a hell of a fight, finishing fourth and proving that American distance running is very much alive on the world stage.
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The "Silver Bullet" and a Hometown Hero
The wheelchair divisions were equally dramatic, though for different reasons. Marcel Hug, the Swiss powerhouse known as the "Silver Bullet," secured his eighth Boston title. He finished in 1:21:34, winning by over four minutes. At this point, Hug isn't just racing the field; he's racing history.
On the women's side, the USA's Susannah Scaroni claimed her second title in three years. She missed the 2024 race due to a shoulder injury, so this comeback victory in 1:35:20 felt like a personal vindication. She pulled away late in the race, leaving Swiss stars Catherine Debrunner and Manuela Schär to battle for the remaining podium spots.
Surprises and "Last Dances"
You can't talk about the 2025 Boston Marathon without mentioning Desiree Linden. The 2018 champion and fan favorite finished in 2:26:18. Before the race, she hinted that this would be her final time running as a professional on this course. The ovation she received at the finish line was, frankly, louder than the one for the winners.
Then there was the guy in the banana suit. Jordan Maddocks from Utah actually set a Guinness World Record for the "fastest marathon run in a fruit costume," clocking in at 2:33:19. Only in Boston do you see world-class elites and high-speed produce on the same stretch of asphalt.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Boston
A lot of casual viewers think Boston is just about Heartbreak Hill. It's not.
The real "secret" to who won the 2025 Boston Marathon was the descent. Because the course is a net downhill, it can absolutely trash a runner's quads before they even reach the hills. Lokedi and Korir both showed incredible "eccentric strength"—the ability to run fast downhill without breaking their bodies.
If you're planning on running Boston yourself or just want to understand the sport better, pay attention to the training logs of these winners. They aren't just running uphill; they are training their muscles to survive the pounding of the first 16 miles of downhill and flat road.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Race
Watching the world's best can be intimidating, but there are a few things we can take away from the 2025 results to improve our own running.
- Practice Downhills: Don't just focus on the climb. To survive a course like Boston, your legs need to be conditioned for the descent.
- Fueling is Non-Negotiable: The 2025 elites utilized high-carb hydrogels (like Maurten) at specific intervals. Even if you aren't running a 2:04, your brain and muscles need that glucose.
- The "20-Mile Rule": Both Korir and Lokedi waited until Mile 20 to make their definitive moves. Patience is often the difference between a PR and a DNF.
The 2025 Boston Marathon proved that even after 129 years, this course still has the power to surprise us. Whether it's a brother following in a sibling's footsteps or a course record falling by minutes, Boston remains the ultimate proving ground.