Anticipation is rising for the 128th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, with the spotlight on the recent unveiling of the men’s elite field.
A strong mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars from across the globe are set to compete in the prestigious event.
Two-Time Defending Champion Evans Chebet Targets Historic Three-Peat
Headlining the elite men’s field is 35-year-old Kenyan Evans Chebet, who will be looking for a historic day at the 128th Boston Marathon.
Chebet, the two-time reigning champion, is eyeing an unprecedented three-peat after his remarkable victories in 2023 and 2022.
Having secured back-to-back wins, Chebet aims to make history by becoming the first three-time champion since 2008.
His familiarity with the Boston course and determination to defend his title makes him a serious contender.
International Contenders Bring Strong Competition
Chebet’s historic day will not come without some pushback from a strong field of competition.
Sisay Lemma, the fourth-fastest marathoner in the world, joins the elite field after an impressive win at the Valencia Marathon, clocking 2:01:48.
The competition intensifies with Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay, the 2023 Boston Marathon runner-up, and Albert Korir of Kenya, the 2023 New York City Marathon champion.
The field is packed with a group of eight standout runners boasting sub-2:05 lifetime bests.
The field also showcases a diverse mix of international talent, including Olympian Suguru Osako from Japan, Norwegian Olympic marathoner Sondre Moen, and Moroccan Zouhair Talbi, the recent Houston Marathon winner.
The race features Kenyan debutant Edward Cheserek, a 22-time NCAA Champion at Oregon, adding another element of excitement to the competition.
Boston veterans like Joshua Belet, Ronald Korir, Cyprian Kotut, Haftu Teklu, and Shura Kitata, all add to the promise of a thrilling contest.
American Representation
Representing the USA is B.A.A. High-Performance Team member Matt McDonald, a 2:09:49 marathoner, and CJ Albertson, the world record holder at 50K.
McDonald expresses his enthusiasm, stating to B.A.A., “As a member of the B.A.A. who lives and trains in Boston, I can’t imagine spending Patriots’ Day doing anything other than running the Boston Marathon.”
Bank of America, the presenting partner, extends its support to all top contenders in the elite field. Athletes will compete for a prize purse exceeding $1 million, with additional bonuses for outstanding record-breaking performances.
The 128th Boston Marathon promises an electrifying showcase of top talent, featuring the world’s best marathoners vying for glory on the historic streets of Boston.
You can find the full men’s elite field below.
| Sisay Lemma | ETH | 2:01:48 (Valencia, 2023) |
| Evans Chebet | KEN | 2:03:00 (Valencia, 2020) |
| Gabriel Geay | TAN | 2:03:00 (Valencia, 2022) NR |
| Joshua Belet | KEN | 2:04:18 (Amsterdam, 2023) |
| Ronald Korir | KEN | 2:04:22 (Berlin, 2023) |
| Cyprian Kotut | KEN | 2:04:34 (Amsterdam, 2023) |
| Haftu Teklu | ETH | 2:04:43 (Berlin, 2023) |
| Shura Kitata | ETH | 2:04:49 (London, 2018) |
| John Korir | KEN | 2:05:01 (Chicago, 2022) |
| Mohamed Esa | ETH | 2:05:05 (Amsterdam, 2022) |
| Suguru Osako | JPN | 2:05:29 (Tokyo, 2020) |
| Sondre Moen | NOR | 2:05:48 (Fukuoka, 2017) AR |
| Filmon Ande | ERI | 2:06:38 (Barcelona, 2021) |
| Zouhair Talbi | MAR | 2:06:39 (Houston, 2024) |
| Isaac Mpofu | ZIM | 2:06:48 (Valencia, 2022) NR |
| Albert Korir | KEN | 2:06:57 (New York City, 2023) |
| Kento Otsu | JPN | 2:08:15 (Otsu, 2021) |
| Ryoma Takeuchi | JPN | 2:08:40 (Hofu, 2023) |
| Segundo Jami | ECU | 2:09:05 (Valencia, 2023) NR |
| Tsegay Tuemay | ERI | 2:09:07 (Daegu, 2019) |
| Matt McDonald | USA | 2:09:49 (Chicago, 2022) |
| David Nilsson | SWE | 2:10:09 (Valencia, 2020) |
| Tristan Woodfine | CAN | 2:10:39 (Houston, 2024) |
| CJ Albertson | USA | 2:10:52 (Duluth, 2022) |
| Chris Thompson | GBR | 2:10:52 (London, 2021) |
| Edward Cheserek | KEN | 2:11:07 (New York City, 2023) |
| Nick Hauger | USA | 2:12:59 (Sacramento, 2021) |
| Will Nation | USA | 2:13:24 (Sacramento, 2021) |
| Joseph Whelon | USA | 2:13:39 (Duluth, 2019) |
| Ilie Alexandru Corneschi | ROU | 2:13:39 (Berlin, 2022) |
| Patrick Smyth | USA | 2:13:47 (Sacramento, 2019) |
| Robert Miranda | USA | 2:14:43 (Sacramento, 2023) |
| Kristoffer Mugrage | USA | 2:15:17 (Sacramento, 2022) |
| Craig Hunt | USA | 2:15:29 (Chandler, 2020) |
| Primoz Kobe | SLO | 2:15:37 (Rotterdam, 2022)* |
| Aaron Gruen | USA | 2:15:56 (Valley Cottage, 2023) |
| Lorenz Baum | GER | 2:15:57 (Cologne, 2023) |
| Taiyo Akiyama | JPN | 2:16:03 (Tokyo, 2023) |
| Andrew McCann | USA | 2:17:07 (Sacramento, 2022) |
| MAtt Rand | USA | 2:17:11 (Valley Cottage, 2023) |
| Ryan Eiler | USA | 2:17:16 (Philadelphia, 2023) |
| Prescott Leach | USA | 2:17:30 (Sacramento, 2023) |
| Qianyu Cheng | CHN | 2:17:33 (Hangzhou, 2022) |
| Jason Ayr | USA | 2:18:14 (Houston, 2022) |
| Grant O’Connor | USA | 2:18:28 (Jersey City, 2023) |
| Mauricio Mendez Cruz | MEX | 2:18:36 (Berlin, 2022) |
| Jared Schatz | USA | 2:18:49 (Valley Cottage, 2023) |
| Jonathan Kotter | USA | 2:19:00 (St. George, 2022) |
| Brad Kahlefeldt | AUS | 2:19:30 (Zurich, 2023)* |
| Miguel Morone | BRA | 2:19:33 (Berlin, 2023)* |
| Duston Bybee | USA | 2:19:48 (St. George, 2023)* |
| Giles Rubio | FRA | 2:20:14 (Valencia, 2022)* |
| Joel Conn | USA | 2:20:16 (Duluth, 2023)* |
| Tyler Butterfield | BER | 2:21:47 (Otsu, 2019)* NR |
| Miguel Ferrer Muro | ESP | 2:21:47 (Valencia, 2022)* |
| Roman Fosti | EST | 2:22:16 (Tallinn, 2023)* |
| Meng-Tsung (Steve) Chu | TWN | 2:22:54 (Edmonton, 2023)* |
| Yemane Haileselassie | ERI | Debut |
