Sisay Lemma returns to defend Boston Marathon title

Two-time major marathon winner, Sisay Lemma is back to defend the Boston Marathon title he ran 2:06:17 to win last April.

The 34-year-old who ran a 2:01:48 lifetime best to win the Maraton Valencia Trinidad Alfonso, Valencia in 2023 will also be looking to become the first Ethiopian man to win back-to-back Boston Marathon titles.

Lema, who is the fastest in the stacked elite field with his 2:01:48 lifetime best is leading a return of five of the top seven men’s finishers from last year’s Boston Marathon.

The Ethiopian will have to overcome the challenge that will be posed by Kenyan, Evans Chebet who won in2022 and 2023 and who will be aiming to reclaim the title from the Ethiopian.

Another Kenyan, John Korir will also be looking to add another World Major title after his 2:02:44 win at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.

Conner Mantz, C.J. Albertson and Clayton Young head the U.S. men in the field while 2017 and 2019 World 5000m champion, Muktar Edris of Ethiopia and Barry Kean, the Irish distance runner who holds a 1:02:35 in the half marathon will both be making their debut in Boston.

Meanwhile, Lemma is ready to make history come April.

‘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,’ said Lemma.

‘I was unlucky, because of an injury, not to be able to participate at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and I was not completely ready at the Valencia Marathon last December, but I will be 100% ready next April because the Boston Marathon is a special event,’ said the Ethiopian.