Boston Marathon – News – Hellen Obiri, Sisay Lemma Return to Defend Titles at Boston Marathon

For Release: Wednesday, January 8

Hellen Obiri, Sisay Lemma Return to Defend Titles at Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America

Professional Open Division to feature athletes from 20 countries, including Olympic medalists, Boston champions, and Top American Talent

BOSTON – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today announced that Hellen Obiri (Kenya) and Sisay Lemma (Ethiopia) will return to defend their Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America titles, headlining a field that includes 21 sub-2:09 men and 17 sub-2:23 women. Obiri seeks to become the first woman to three-peat since Fatuma Roba did so from 1997-1999.

In addition to two consecutive wins on the streets of Boston, Obiri earned a bronze medal at the Olympic Marathon in Paris and was runner-up at the TCS New York City Marathon in November. Sisay’s 2:01:38 lifetime best ranks fastest among the men’s field, and his winning margin last April was 41 seconds.

“Boston annually brings together the world’s best each April, and this Patriots’ Day is no different,” said Jack Fleming, CEO of the Boston Athletic Association. “Coming off an Olympic year, top contenders from around the world have turned their attention to Boston and hope to etch their name into Boston Marathon lore with a victory.”

HELLEN OBIRI RETURNS AIMING FOR HISTORIC THREE-PEAT

Only four women have won three consecutive Boston Marathon Open Division titles – Bobbi Gibb, Sara Mae Berman, Uta Pippig, and Fatuma Roba. Trying to prevent Obiri’s three-peat will be a host of international and U.S. stars. Ethiopia’s Amane Beriso and Yalemzerf Yehualaw have the fastest lifetimes bests in the field (2:14:58 and 2:16:52, respectively) with Beriso finishing second in 2023 and serving as the reigning world champion. Also from Ethiopia is…