Mile-by-mile updates, splits, and analysis as the world's oldest annual marathon unfolds from Hopkinton to Boylston Street.
John Korir just took 70 seconds off the Boston Marathon course record. He’s going to be with us shortly and we’ll tell you how he’s doing right here.
John Korir – 02:01:52 – Course Record
Sharon Lokedi – 02:18:51
First US Man: Zouhair Talbi 02:03:45
First US Woman: Jess McClain 02:20:49
Just passed 24 miles, on track to run 02:21:24.
Sharon Lokedi leading the women’s race with roughly 15 second gap.
She set the course record last year in Boston running a 2:17:22.
Now projected to run a 02:02:10.
The course record is 02:03:02.
Jess McClain loses a few seconds and drops from the pack as she has to go back for a bottle: but manages to catch back up. Tense!
The course record is 02:03:02.
John Korir is currently on pace to run a 02:02:35, with about 12 mins to go.
Heartbreak Hill is the final (and most famous) of four hills in Newton between miles 17 and 21. It rises about 88 feet over half a mile and comes right when glycogen stores are depleted. The name dates back to 1936, when Ellison ‘Tarzan’ Brown broke Johnny Kelley’s spirit on the climb. It’s not the steepest hill in the race, but its position in the late miles makes it a decisive moment in every Boston Marathon.
There are actually four hills in Newton, not just Heartbreak. They span from roughly mile 16 to mile 21. The first three are shorter but they accumulate fatigue before the final climb up Heartbreak Hill. Combined, the Newton Hills gain about 230 feet of elevation. Historically, the best Boston Marathon runners actually accelerate through Newton — using the hills to drop weaker competitors rather than merely surviving them.
Kodi Kleven is an American distance runner and marathoner from Utah who has emerged as a strong competitor across both road marathons and trail ultras. A former collegiate standout at Utah Valley University and BYU—where she earned conference titles in the 5,000m and 10,000m—she has transitioned successfully to longer distances, building a reputation for endurance and versatility.
In 2025, Kleven won the St. George Marathon in a breakthrough performance, running 2:28:41 to claim the women’s title and set a new course record.
Alongside her road racing, she competes in high-level trail and mountain events, including podium finishes at races like the Speedgoat 50K and strong results on the UTMB circuit, highlighting her range across terrains and distances.
American record holder Emmily Sisson is beginning to fade from the lead group, alongside 2024 Olympian Dakotah Popehn
Annie Frisbee and Kodi Kleven have a small gap on the rest of the leading women
All the international and American favorites are still sitting in and running strong
The defending champion wasn’t going to let Mangesha get away so easily. Reigning world champion, Alphonce Simbu is not far behind
As they pass the halfway mark around 1:11 in, the top women are all continuing to close rank and hold a tight group. For now…
Ethiopia’s Mengesha has slowly opened up around 20 seconds to the chasers
The men’s field has a few switch-ups in the leading runner; Ethiopian Milkesa Mengesha currently leading the pack.
A decade after his thrilling 2016 Boston triumph, Berhanu returns to the scene of his greatest victory. Now 32, the Ethiopian knows every inch of this course and still has the sub-2:05 speed to compete with the best if the race unfolds tactically.
| # | Athlete | Time | Gap | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇰🇪 John Korir | 2:01:52 | Finished | |
| 2 | 🇹🇿 Alphonce Simbu | 02:02:47 | +55s | Finished |
| 3 | 🇰🇪 Benson Kipruto | 02:02:50 | +58s | Finished |
| 4 | 🇪🇹 Hailemaryam Kiros | 02:03:42 | +1:50 | Finished |
| 5 | 🇺🇸 Zouhair Talbi | 02:03:45 | +1:53 | Finished |
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