Four defending champions to run in Boston

For what is believed to be the first time in history, all four defending open and wheelchair division champions plus the reigning American record holders will all compete in the same edition of the world’s oldest annual marathon.

Reigning Boston Marathon champions Sharon Lokedi (Kenya, women’s open division), John Korir (Kenya, men’s open division), Susannah Scaroni (USA, women’s wheelchair division), and Marcel Hug (Switzerland, men’s wheelchair division) all return to defend their titles, while American record holders and 2024 Olympians Conner Mantzand Emily Sisson each will enter as U.S. favorites.

“On the occasion of 130 days away from the 130th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, it is fitting to preview what could be considered the strongest field of international and American stars for April’s race,” said Jack Fleming, President and CEO of the Boston Athletic Association. “Each of these six athletes have decorated careers and are focused on meeting the moment and making history come Patriots’ Day.”

The complete Bank of America Professional Athlete Field will be announced in January, 2026.

Lokedi timed a blistering 2:17:22 in April, breaking a course record that had stood since 2014. Lokedi’s mark shaved more than two minutes, 30 seconds from the prior event best (2:19:59). She has since gone on to finish second at the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon.

“Boston in 2025 was beyond expectations. Breaking the course record, earning a victory, and racing against some of the best women in the world made 2025’s race a career highlight,” said Lokedi. “We’re already training hard to run it back in 2026.”

John Korir overcame a fall at the start to win in 2:04:45 – the third fastest time in Boston Marathon history. By claiming the olive wreath, Korir joined his brother Wesley (2012 champion) to become the first set of siblings to win the Boston Marathon. Most recently, Korir clocked a 2:02:24 win at the Valencia Marathon on December 7, moving into eighth on the all-time fastest marathon list.

“Last year’s race was a very meaningful win for me and my family, and I look forward to coming back to Boston again,” said Korir. “I aim to finish first and run fast again in April.”

Hug earned his eighth Boston Marathon title last April, moving him into a tie for second with Jean Driscoll on the all-time Boston wins list (only behind Ernst van Dyk’s ten wheelchair division wins). Hug is also the course record holder (1:15:33, 2024) and is the reigning Abbott World Marathon Majors series champion.

“Boston’s spectators and energy help push me every April,” said Hug. “Every Boston Marathon is special and unique, and I hope to add a ninth victory soon.”

Scaroni swept all three American events in the Abbott World Marathon Majors this year, earning dominant wins in Boston, Chicago, and New York City en route to securing the AbbottWMM Series crown. Scaroni is a two-time Boston winner (2023, 2025) and clocked a winning time of 1:35:20 this year.

“Winning the Boston Marathon on the 50th anniversary of the wheelchair division in 2025 was significant and set the ball rolling for a strong season,” said Scaroni. “Boston is always a race I look forward to and will bring out the best on Marathon Monday.”

For the first time since 1978 – and for only the third time ever – both the men’s and women’s American record holders will toe the start line in Hopkinton at the same edition of the Boston Marathon.

Mantz returns after a fourth-place, 2:05:08 run in April – the highest finish by an American man since Boston 2018. Now Mantz is the American record holder thanks to a 2:04:43, fourth-place run at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in October. Mantz enters Boston looking to finish on the podium – something he was an agonizingly four seconds away from in 2025.

“Finishing fourth a year ago was very close to my goal of placing in the top three,” said Mantz, who also owns the American record in the half marathon. “I’m eager to return to Boston and race against the best of the best again. Boston’s full of history and I’m working to give it my all every step towards Boylston Street.”

Sisson takes on the Hopkinton-to-Boston route for the first time. A two-time U.S. Olympian, Sisson has ties to New England, having graduated from Providence College and placed in many races in the Bay State – including a pair of top-three finishes at the B.A.A.’s Boston 10K. Her lifetime marathon best of 2:18:29 has served as the American record since 2022.

“The Boston Marathon has been a race I’ve looked forward to competing in for many years,” said Sisson, who currently lives in Ireland. “I’m ready to take on the challenging course and be part of one of the legendary races in our sport.”