Sharon Lokedi Defends Boston Marathon Title in 2:18:51, Leading All-Kenyan Women's Podium Sweep
Kenya's Sharon Lokedi won the 130th Boston Marathon on Monday in 2:18:51 — the fourth-fastest women's time in race history — leading an all-Kenyan podium with Loice Chemnung second and Mary Ngugi-Cooper third.
SportsGNGV Editorial Team4 min readLast reviewed September 28, 2026
Sharon Lokedi defended her Boston Marathon title on Monday, finishing the 130th edition in 2 hours, 18 minutes and 51 seconds — the fourth-fastest women's time ever recorded in Boston. The Kenyan led an all-Kenyan podium: Loice Chemnung was second in 2:19:35 and Mary Ngugi-Cooper third in 2:20:07.
Lokedi, who set the course record of 2:17:22 the previous year, broke open the race entering the Newton Hills. According to ESPN, she had forgotten her watch and borrowed one at the last minute, but she didn't check it down the stretch.
The men's race was won by John Korir in record time, marking back-to-back Boston titles. American Jess McClain, finishing in 2:20:49, became the fastest American woman in the history of the race. The depth at the front of the women's field was the real story.
