Kenyan Runners Make History at 250th Boston Marathon Anniversary

Sharon Lokedi made history at the Boston Marathon by breaking the course record, while fellow Kenyan John Korir joined his brother as a race champion on Monday as the city celebrated the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War.

Lokedi outpaced two-time defending champion Hellen Obiri in the final mile, avenging her loss to Obiri in a close finish last year. Lokedi finished in an unofficial time of two hours, 17 minutes, and 22 seconds — 19 seconds ahead of Obiri and more than two-and-a-half minutes faster than the previous Boston best.

Just six months after winning the Chicago Marathon, Korir finished in 2:04:45 — the second-fastest winning time in race history. The runners took full advantage of perfect marathon weather as they conquered the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston’s Copley Square.

After crossing the finish line, Korir was welcomed by his older brother, 2012 Boston winner Wesley Korir. The Korirs made history as the first brothers to win the prestigious Boston Marathon.

Conner Mantz of Provo, Utah, finished fourth after a thrilling sprint to the finish with Alphonce Felix Simbu of Tanzania and Cybrian Kotut of Kenya. Simbu claimed second place, while Kotut finished third.

Calgary’s Rory Linkletter achieved a personal best time of 2:07:02, securing sixth place in the men’s race.

Korir ran without displaying his bib, pulling it out of his running tights as he sprinted down Boylston Street.

The day’s festivities began with reenactors on horseback, accompanied by fife and drum music playing “Yankee Doodle” to commemorate the start of the Revolutionary War. Laughter ensued when Paul Revere’s horse was startled by the finish line decal on the street, prompting the actor portraying Revere to dismount and walk the final few steps himself.

After a proclamation was read, Revere guided the horse to the finish line before continuing with more ceremonies honoring the midnight ride on April 19, 1775.

Marcel Hug of Switzerland clinched his eighth Boston wheelchair title by zooming into Copley Square in 1:21:34. Hug finished over four minutes ahead of two-time winner Daniel Romanchuk, marking the 50th anniversary of the wheelchair division’s inclusion in the race.

Susannah Scaroni of the United States secured her second victory in the women’s wheelchair race, finishing in 1:35:20. Her win ensured that the “Star-Spangled Banner” would play on Boylston Street in Copley Square on Patriots’ Day, commemorating the first shots of the Revolutionary War 250 years ago.