Four Defending Champions Return to 130th Boston Marathon as American Record Holders Join Elite Field

The Boston Athletic Association has confirmed six elite distance runners will compete at the 130th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, marking a historic lineup for the world’s oldest annual marathon.

All four reigning champions across the open and wheelchair divisions will return to defend their titles. American record holders Conner Mantz and Emily Sisson will also compete, marking just the third time in Boston Marathon history that both U.S. record holders race together.

The B.A.A. plans to announce the complete professional field in January 2026. The race takes place on Patriots’ Day between Hopkinton and Boston.

“On the occasion of 130 days away from the 130th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, it is fitting to preview what could be considered the strongest field of international and American stars for April’s race,” said Jack Fleming, President and CEO of the Boston Athletic Association. “Each of these six athletes have decorated careers and are focused on meeting the moment and making history come Patriots’ Day.”

Defending Champions Ready for Title Defense

Sharon Lokedi of Kenya smashed the course record in April with a 2:17:22 finish. Her time cut more than two and a half minutes from the previous record of 2:19:59, which dated back to 2014. She followed that performance with a second-place showing at the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon.

“Boston in 2025 was beyond expectations. Breaking the course record, earning a victory, and racing against some of the best women in the world made 2025’s race a career highlight,” said Lokedi. “We’re already training hard to run it back in 2026.”

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Kenya’s John Korir bounced back from an early fall to win in 2:04:45, the third-fastest time in race history. His victory created history as he joined brother Wesley, the 2012 champion, to become the first siblings to both win Boston. Korir recently ran 2:02:24 to win the Valencia Marathon on December 7, moving to eighth on the all-time marathon rankings.

“Last year’s race was a very meaningful win for me and my family, and I look forward to coming back to Boston again,” said Korir. “I aim to finish first and run fast again in April.”

Wheelchair Division Stars Seek More Titles

Marcel Hug of Switzerland captured his eighth Boston Marathon title last April. The victory tied him with Jean Driscoll for second place on the all-time wins list, trailing only Ernst van Dyk’s ten wheelchair division victories. Hug owns the course record of 1:15:33 from 2024 and holds the current Abbott World Marathon Majors series championship.

“Boston’s spectators and energy help push me every April,” said Hug. “Every Boston Marathon is special and unique, and I hope to add a ninth victory soon.”

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Susannah Scaroni won all three American stops in the Abbott World Marathon Majors this year. The U.S. athlete took victories in Boston, Chicago, and New York City to claim the AbbottWMM Series title. Scaroni has won Boston twice, in 2023 and 2025, with her latest winning time of 1:35:20.

“Winning the Boston Marathon on the 50th anniversary of the wheelchair division in 2025 was significant and set the ball rolling for a strong season,” said Scaroni. “Boston is always a race I look forward to and will bring out the best on Marathon Monday.”

American Record Holders Eye Boston Debut and Return

Mantz finished fourth in Boston last April with a 2:05:08 showing, the best result for an American man since 2018. He claimed the American record at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in October, running 2:04:43 for fourth place. The Utah runner missed the podium by just four seconds during his 2025 Boston appearance.

“Finishing fourth a year ago was very close to my goal of placing in the top three,” said Mantz, who also owns the American record in the half marathon. “I’m eager to return to Boston and race against the best of the best again. Boston’s full of history and I’m working to give it my all every step towards Boylston Street.”

Sisson will race from Hopkinton to Boston for the first time. The two-time U.S. Olympian attended Providence College and has competed in multiple races throughout New England, including two top-three finishes at the B.A.A. Boston 10K. She set the American record of 2:18:29 in 2022, which still stands today. Sisson currently trains in Ireland.

“The Boston Marathon has been a race I’ve looked forward to competing in for many years,” said Sisson, who currently lives in Ireland. “I’m ready to take on the challenging course and be part of one of the legendary races in our sport.”

This marks only the third time both American record holders will compete in the same Boston Marathon. The last occurrence was in 1978.

The B.A.A. will release the complete fields for the professional open, wheelchair, and para athletics divisions in January. Media credential applications open in February with details posted to the organization’s Media Relations page.

Confirmed Athletes

RETURNING CHAMPIONS

AMERICAN RECORD HOLDERS