Lemma admits to herculean task in defending Boston title

Five of the top seven men’s finishers from last year’s Boston Marathon, led by reigning champion Sisay Lemma, return to the streets of the US looking to lift this year’s title on 21 April

The defending champion, Lemma, who is also the fastest entrant in the men’s field heads to the race with a 2:01:48 personal best (PB) set when winning the Valencia Marathon in 2023, making him the fourth-fastest marathon runner in history.

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Lemma’s tough test is expected from a Kenyan contingent of top-tier runners led by two-time Boston Marathon champion Evans Chebet who was third in 2024.

Also back are 2024 fourth and fifth-place finishers John Korir who won the 2024 Chicago Marathon, and is second fastest on paper with a 2:02:44 PB, and Albert Korir.

“I was very happy after winning the Boston Marathon last year, and in 2025 I know it will be an even bigger challenge to win again,” Lemma told organisers.

Last year the reigning champion led the race from wire-to-wire, finishing 41 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Mohamed Esa (2:06:58) to dethrone Chebet who was going for a three-peat.

Expectations were high for the Ethiopian ahead of the Paris Olympic Marathon, but he had to pull out due to injury, his replacement Tamirat Tola ultimately winning the gold.

“I was unlucky, because of an injury, not to be able to participate at the 2024 Olympic Games and I was not completely ready at the Valencia Marathon last December, but I will be 100% ready in April because the Boston Marathon is a special event,” Lemma further opened up.

Adding to the deep field are Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut and Ethiopian Haymanot Alew who were second and third at last year’s Berlin Marathon and both have lifetime bests inside 2:04.

World champion Victor Kiplangat seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win in Boston, while two-time world 5000m champion Muktar Edris will be making his marathon debut.

Other leading names include two-time Boston winner Lelisa Desisa, Kenya’s Daniel Mateiko, Tanzania’s Alphonce Felix Simbu, Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana, Kenya’s Abel Kipchumba and Ethiopia’s Yemane Haileselassie.

Conner Mantz and Clayton Young, who were eighth and ninth respectively in the Olympic marathon last year before finishing in the top 10 at the New York Marathon, lead the US charge.

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Men's Elite List

Sisay Lemma (ETH) 2:01:48

John Korir (KEN) 2:02:44

Evans Chebet (KEN) 2:03:00

Cybrian Kotut (KEN) 2:03:22

Haymanot Alew (ETH) 2:03:31

Daniel Mateiko (KEN) 2:04:24

Alphonce Felix Simbu (TAN) 2:04:38

Lelisa Desisa (ETH) 2:04:45

Victor Kiplangat (UGA) 2:05:09

Asefa Boki (ETH) 2:05:40

Tebello Ramakongoana (LES) 2:06:18

Abel Kipchumba (KEN) 2:06:49

Albert Korir (KEN) 2:06:57

Tsegay Weldlibanos (ERI) 2:07:25

Patrick Tiernan (AUS) 2:07:45

Conner Mantz (USA) 2:07:47

Clayton Young (USA) 2:08:00

Rory Linkletter (CAN) 2:08:01

CJ Albertson (USA) 2:08:17

Amanuel Mesel (ERI) 2:08:17

Erenjia Jia (CHN) 2:08:32

Zach Panning (USA) 2:09:16

Colin Bennie (USA) 2:09:38

Additional reporting by World Athletics