Kenyan duo John Korir and Sharon Lokedi successfully defended their men’s and women’s titles at the Boston Marathon with commanding performances today Monday, to win $150,000 (about Shs 555 million). Korir led a strong Kenyan showing in the men’s race, pulling away decisively in the latter stages to claim victory in 2:01:52, breaking the long-standing course record of 2:03:02 set in 2011. Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu finished second in 2:02:47, while Kenya’s Benson Kipruto completed the podium in 2:02:50. The decisive move came around the famed Heartbreak Hill, where Korir surged clear of the chasing pack to seal back-to-back victories in emphatic fashion. In the women’s race, Lokedi produced an equally dominant display. She took control from the Newton Hills and steadily extended her lead before crossing the finish line in 2:18:51. She was followed by a strong Kenyan contingent, with Loice Chemnung finishing second in 2:19:35, Mary Ngugi-Cooper third in 2:20:07, and Mercy Chelangat fourth in 2:20:30. The victories mark a historic achievement, as it is the first time since 1996 that both the men’s and women’s champions have successfully defended their Boston Marathon titles.Leading resultsWomen1 Sharon Lokedi (KEN) 2:18:512 Loice Chemnung (KEN) 2:19:353 Mary Ngugi-Cooper (KEN) 2:20:074 Mercy Chelangat (KEN) 2:20:305 Jess McClain (USA) 2:20:496 Irine Cheptai (KEN) 2:20:547 Workenesh Edesa (ETH) 2:21:528 Annie Frisbie (USA) 2:22:009 Emily Sisson (USA) 2:22:3910 Carrie Ellwood (USA) 2:22:5311 Bedatu Hirpa (ETH) 2:23:5812 Dakotah Popehn (USA) 2:24:0413 Elena Hayday (USA) 2:24:4514 Kodi Kleven (USA) 2:24:4815 Amanda Vestri (USA) 2:24:4916 Isobel Batt-Doyle (AUS) 2:25:06Men1 John Korir (KEN) 2:01:522 Alphonce Simbu (TAN) 2:02:473 Benson Kipruto (KEN) 2:02:504 Hailemariam Kiros (ETH) 2:03:425 Zouhair Talbi (USA) 2:03:456 Tebello Ramakongoana (LES) 2:04:187 Charles Hicks (USA) 2:04:358 Richard Ringer (GER) 2:04:479 Alex Masai (KEN) 2:05:3210 Milkesa Mengesha (ETH) 2:05:3511 Clayton Young (USA) 2:05:4112 Ryan Ford (USA) 2:05:4613 Joe Klecker (USA) 2:05:5614 Rory Linkletter (CAN) 2:06:0415 Yemane Haileselassie (ERI) 2:06:0616 Nicholas Kipkorir (KEN) 2:06:07The post Boston Marathon: Kenya’s Korir, Lokedi defend titles in dominant fashion appeared first on The Observer.