Recap: 2025 Boston Marathon draws 30,000 runners from around the world

Sharon Lokedi broke the Boston Marathon course record, and fellow Kenyan John Korir joined his brother as a race champion on Monday as the city celebrated the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War.

Lokedi outran two-time defending champion Hellen Obiri over the final mile a year after losing a sprint down Boylston Street to her in one of the closest finishes in race history. Lokedi finished in an unofficial 2 hours, 17 minutes, 22 seconds — 19 seconds ahead of Obiri and more than 2 1/2 minutes faster than the previous Boston best. Lokedi hugged her mom immediately after crossing the finish line.

Six months after winning Chicago, Korir finished in 2:04:45 — the second-fastest winning time in race history as the runners took advantage of perfect marathon weather to conquer the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston’s Copley Square.

After crossing the line, Korir was greeted by his older brother, 2012 Boston winner Wesley Korir. Although the race has been won by a pair of unrelated John Kelleys and two different Robert Cheruiyots, the Korirs are the first brothers — or relatives of any kind — to win the world's oldest and most prestigious annual marathon.

Our own Matt Prichard just completed his first Boston Marathon — and second-ever marathon — after an emotional run.

Describing himself as "alive, but just barely," the political reporter said his IT band was firing since the 13th mile, causing him to well up with tears as he crested Heartbreak Hill and again with one mile to go.

"Dude, you've gotta lock in, man, we've got a bunch more race to go," he remembered telling himself, adding, "and then when you get to the finish line, it's just sheer relief."

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He was proud to have raised $10,000 for charity and gave a shout out to his wife, "the true hero of all of this" for looking after their young child while he trained.

Troy Hoyt, the grandson and nephew of Boston Marathon legends Dick and Rick Hoyt, spoke to us after finishing his fifth race.

Dick and Rick Hoyt were fixtures of the marathon for over 30 years. Dick pushed his son in a wheelchair, in as fast as in 2 hours and 52 minutes. Their legacy is carried on through Team Hoyt, which Troy ran with.

"I don't know if I can do 32 like my grandfather and uncle did. I did five, so, we'll keep it open and counting," he Troy joked.

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Team Hoyt is putting on another race in Hopkinton next month, the Team Hoyt Memorial.

For Drew Carter, NBC Sports Boston's Celtics play-by-play announcer, completing the Boston Marathon brought a new feeling: the "first time in my life I felt like a real pro athlete."

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Right after crossing the finish line — in a Celtics jersey — he told us it was a great, if difficult run. He singled out Heartbreak Hill as being challenging, but brought in some sage advice from his work life.

"I was thinking about Joe Mazzulla: 'Hunt adversity, enjoy the pain, savor the struggle,'" Carter said.

It was Carter's first marathon, and he finished in just over 3 hours and 48 minutes.

NBC10 Boston reporter Malcolm Johnson finished the Boston Marathon just after 3 p.m. Monday, with an average pace of 8:30 minutes per mile. His finish time was 3:42:44.

"I feel every bone in my body," he said immediately after finishing.

"I don't know if it's all hit me yet, but it was just so much fun," he added. "You know, there's so many surges of energy. You hit every different town and there's more people and you think there's a lull and there's more people. They spring you up and give you energy, and I don't know, it makes you really feel the city in a way I never had before. I'm not from here, but after today, I get it. I get the Boston story."

If not for some fast reflexes, John Korir's win at Monday's Boston Marathon wouldn't have happened.

The Kenyan stumbled near the start and appeared to lose his race bib. He pulled it out of his running tights as he sprinted past the finish line.

“Somebody tripped me from behind,” he said.

“What came to my mind was should I stay down, or should I (get) up and go?” Korir added. “Something told me to (get) up and go, and that everything will be OK. … And everything went away."

Six months after claiming the top spot on the podium at the Chicago Marathon, John Korir toed the start line of his third Boston Marathon feeling good about his chances for another strong performance.

After finishing one place short of the top 3 at the Boston Marathon a year ago, the 28-year-old Kenyan began his training for this year’s race by first seeking the advice of a trusted past champion: his big brother.

Wesley Korir, who is 14 years older than John, won the world’s oldest and most prestigious annual marathon in 2012.

“He told me to expect the race to be tough and believe in myself,” John Korir said. “So, I believed in myself and I followed his advice.”

There are always a handful of runners who decide to wear, let's say... interesting costumes while competing in the Boston Marathon. And this year was no exception.

Here's a look at some of the contenders for Best Costume 2025:

Des Linden, who won the Boston Marathon in 2018, announced Monday that she is retiring after this year. She wound up finishing this year's race in 2:26:19, her fastest marathon since 2017. So does she still think she made the right decision?

"100%," Linden said at Monday's post-race press conference.

She said knowing it was her last race gave her a chance to focus on running her best race, and everything worked out perfectly. But she said she focused on running her race, rather than reflecting on her career.

"I was all in on racing," Linden said. "If I had tried to do anything differently, I probably would have been just a puddle of tears."

She said she did get emotional when she was met at the finish line by a group of American runners.

So how are our three runners faring?

Right now, NBC Sports Boston's Celtics play-by-play announcer Drew Carter and NBC10 Boston reporters Malcolm Johnson and Matt Prichard have all passed the halfway point.

As of 1:30 p.m., Carter had run 15.43 miles, and was on an 8:12 minute/mile pace, Johnson had run 16.49 miles and was on a 7:55 pace and Prichard had run 13.37 miles and was on a 9:47 pace.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu brought all three of her children -- including 3-month-old Mira -- to Monday's Boston Marathon.

"This is the best day all year," she said in an interview. "I come out with the kids every year... There's nothing like seeing people come together to cheer for strangers as if you are their number one fan. That's so important. It brings everyone together."

Wu also stressed that the marathon is a "huge, huge boon" all of the small businesses in Boston, as well as the overall economy.

"We are so proud to be here to see the world recognize Boston's spirit, Boston's strength."

The excellent weather meant plenty of people lined the streets for the 26.2 miles of the marathon on Monday.

Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

See more sights from the Boston Marathon at this photo gallery.

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Sharon Lokedi had a record-smashing performance Monday at the 129th Boston Marathon.

She won against Hellen Obiri — who beat her in the 2024 marathon.

"I'm always second to her," Lokedi said. "And today, I was like no way, I just have to put it out there and just fight to the end and see how it goes. So I'm glad I ran that fast, and she was right behind me, and we all just fought and wanted this so bad."

Lokedi called her mom her inspiration, and was happy to have her there supporting her.

Sharon Lokedi has just won the Boston Marathon in the women's professional division.

She immediately embraced her mom as she crossed the finish line.

The Kenyan athlete looked ecstatic and emotional after her big win.

She just beat reining champion Hellen Obiri, also of Kenya.

NBC10 Boston reporters Malcolm Johnson and Matt Prichard and NBC Sports Boston's Drew Carter are now mid-marathon, making their way toward Boston.

As of around noontime, Johnson was 5.12 miles in, Prichard was 4.33 miles in and Carter was 4.5 miles in.

John Korir of Kenya has taken first place in the men's professional division of the Boston Marathon.

Korir is a reigning champ of the Chicago Marathon. Previously, he's placed fourth and ninth in Boston.

Korir's older brother, Wesley, won Boston in 2012.

There were lots of smiles along the marathon course Monday, as runners from all over the world made their way from Hopkinton to Copley Square.

Here are a few snapshots from along the course:

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Susannah Scaroni gave an interview just after winning her second Boston Marathon in the women's wheelchair division.

After a year off to heal a shoulder injury, Scaroni said it was a blessing to return to Boston in 2025.

"I will say I'm pretty happy to come in first today, but I love all the people I race with," Scaroni said.

Susannah Scaroni just won her second Boston Marathon, scoring the top spot in the 2025 Women's Wheelchair Division.

The American athlete held a big lead over her competing racers before finally crossing the finish line in Copley Square.

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Marcel Hug was interviewed following his big win at Monday's race.

He said he was feeling happy and satisfied after his eighth win.

"Still need some time to realize what happened really, but I'm so happy," Hug said.

Hug was asked about his strategy for this year's race.

Marcel Hug of Switzerland came in first place in the Men's Wheelchair Division of the 2025 Boston Marathon.

This is the first division of the day to have a winner.

Hug held a strong lead in the race for quite some time, before crossing the finish line on Boylston Street to plenty of cheers.

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The elite women running the Boston Marathon have crossed the starting line, and are now running east toward Boston.

Last year's winner Hellen Obiri of Kenya has returned to defend her title.

The professional men's division have launched from the starting line in Hopkinton, starting their 26-mile race to Boston's Copley Square.

Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia has returned to defend his title, and many of the other top men's finishers from 2024 have returned as well.

The wheelchair fields left Hopkinton under clear skies and cool temperatures Monday morning for the start of the 129th Boston Marathon. At the finish line 26.2 miles (42.2 kilometers) away, a troop in colonial garb celebrated the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution.

About 40 members of the Massachusetts National Guard were the first to cross the starting line early Monday, while 30,000 runners gathered on Hopkinton Green to await their start.

Race Director Dave McGillivray sent the uniformed marchers off at 6 a.m., thanking them for their service. McGillivray said it’s a highlight of his day to see them out on the course each year, and it had extra meaning this year.

The race is held annually on the state holiday that commemorates the start of the Revolutionary War, which began 250 years ago Saturday when the first shots were fired in Lexington and Concord. The anniversary was marked at the start by a special logo painted on the street, and a ceremonial ride was planned at the finish by a Paul Revere reenactor.

Bob Hall and Bill Rodgers were teammates training for the 1975 Boston Marathon — Rodgers on his feet, and Hall in his wheelchair.

Rodgers would go on to win that year, the first of the four victories in his hometown race that earned him the nickname “Boston Billy” and set off a national running craze. But when he gave Hall’s wheelchair a try, he was outmatched.

“I tried to push myself in that chair. I couldn’t move,” Rodgers said this week. “But he had the eye of the tiger, Bob did.”

Fifty years later, the chairs are sleeker, the fields are bigger, and Hall’s successors are literally leading the way at the Boston Marathon: The push-rim wheelchair division will be the first to depart from Hopkinton on Monday morning, the better for them to avoid the much slower runners as the field makes its way to Boston’s Back Bay.

“Bob Hall is an incredible man,” five-time Boston winner and eight-time Paralympic gold medalist Tatyana McFadden said this week as she prepared for Monday's 129th edition of the race and 50th anniversary of Hall's pioneering push. “I’m so thankful for him. And I think we all are, as wheelchair racers, because he really paved the way.”

Police will be running checkpoints and bag check stations along the race route, which spans eight cities and towns.

Massachusetts State Police, as well as local officials, will have officers patrolling the area to look out for any suspicious activity. Some will be undercover. FBI officials have said there is no reason to believe this event will be targeted.

"Troopers from every corner of the state will be here along the course to ensure that athletes and spectators can enjoy the day safely," Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble said. "K-9 teams and other specialized teams will continuously sweep the site and the air wing will patrol the sky above."

There are several items that spectators are warned not to bring, including backpacks, coolers, weapons, fireworks, costumes, inflatable items, bicycles, strollers, scooters and drones.

The 129th Boston Marathon is officially underway.

The Men's Wheelchair division race got underway at 9:06 a.m.

The Women's Wheelchair division race followed, kicking off at 9:09 a.m.

Our weather team is forecasting a pleasant April day for Marathon Monday.

NBC10 Boston meteorologist Sydney Welch says the skies will be mostly sunny to start the race.

"While temperatures may be a tad warm for runners, it will be close to ideal for the Boston Marathon. Clouds increase into the evening, and scattered showers arrive overnight as a weak front moves in, but rain should hold off until after the race," Welch wrote.

There are a number of changes to MBTA train and bus service on Monday due to the marathon.

Copley Square station will be closed for the entire day. Other stations will be closed from around 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., including South Street, Kent Street and Saint Mary’s Street stations.

The Framingham/Worcester branch of the Commuter Line will have extra service before and after the race.

There are a number of changes impacting MBTA buses, too. Here are the service impacts from the MBTA:

The Copley Square bus stop on Saint James Ave will be out of service from April 14 to 22. Riders will be redirected to the bus stop on Saint James Ave @ Clarendon St.

In addition to the professional runners competing in this year's Boston Marathon, some of our very own coworkers are participating!

NBC Sports Boston's Drew Carter is running to support the Boston Celtics' Shamrock Foundation, NBC10 Boston reporter Malcolm Johnson is fundraising for Boston Children's and NBC10 Boston reporter Matt Prichard is running for Boston Medical Center.

NBC Sports Boston account executive Charlie Shiebler is also running for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

We'll keep you updated on their journeys throughout the day.

Here are some images from the Boston Marathon course on Monday morning, as final preparations were being made and security checks were taking place.

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The 129th Boston Marathon will get underway shortly.

Here are the starting times for the various divisions that will be making the trek from Boston's to the city's heart.

• 9:06 a.m. — Men's Wheelchair
• 9:09 a.m. — Women's Wheelchair
• 9:03 a.m. — Handcycle & Duos
• 9:37 a.m. — Professional Men
• 9:47 a.m. — Professional Women
• 9:50 a.m. — Para Athletics Division
• 10 a.m. — Wave 1
• 10:25 a.m. — Wave 2
• 10:50 a.m. — Wave 3
• 11:15 a.m. — Wave 4