Tens of millions Sharon Lokedi, John Korir will pocket from Boston Marathon victories
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 22.04.25. | 07:43
The 2025 Boston Marathon reaffirmed its status as not only one of the sport’s most iconic races but also one of its most lucrative
Kenyan stars Sharon Lokedi and John Korir will walk away millions of shillings richer after their electrifying wins at the 2025 Boston Marathon.
The duo flew the Kenyan flag high after emerging victorious in the women's and men’s categories of the marathon held on Monday, 21 April in Boston, USA.
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Their hard work saw them each pocket $150,000 (approximately Ksh19.6 million) for their first-place finishes in the Open Division.
Korir, 28, delivered a masterclass in marathon running, breaking away from a competitive eight-man pack just before the 20-mile mark. The younger brother of 2012 Boston champion Wesley Korir was untouchable after that surge, crossing the finish line in 2:04:45, the fastest winning time since Geoffrey Mutai’s course record of 2:03:02 in 2011.
This win cements his rise among the elite, following his breakthrough victory last October and a personal best of 2:02:44 in Chicago that makes him the eighth fastest marathoner in history.
Behind him, Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu (2:05:04) and Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut (2:05:04) claimed second and third, earning $75,000 (Ksh9.8 million) and $40,000 (KSh5.2 million) respectively.
On the women’s side, Lokedi made her statement with a commanding performance, smashing the course record by nearly three minutes. Her 2:17:22 time not only earned her the winner’s purse but also reset the Boston women’s record books, erasing Buzunesh Deba’s 2014 mark of 2:19:59.
In addition to the prize money, Lokedi will earn a $50,000 bonus (approximately Ksh6.5 million shillings) for breaking the course record.
Two-time Boston winner Hellen Obiri finished second in 2:17:41, earning $75,000 (Ksh 9.8 million), while Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw was third in 2:18:06, taking home $40,000 (Ksh5.2 million). American Jess McClain finished seventh in 2:22:43, the top U.S. performer on the day.
The 2025 Boston Marathon reaffirmed its status as not only one of the sport’s most iconic races but also one of its most lucrative.
Organisers revealed a total prize purse of over $1.13 million (KSh147 million), with generous payouts across the Open, Wheelchair, Masters, and Para Athletics divisions.
Winners in the Wheelchair category (T53/54/34) also received $50,000 each, while Para Athletics athletes in most classifications secured $3,000 for first place. The Masters Division, catering to runners aged 40 and above, rewarded the top finishers with up to $5,000.
In addition, a $50,000 bonus was on offer for any athlete who broke a course record in their respective category.
