On a wet day at the Boston Marathon, Evans Chebet defended his title in the men’s race, and took down all-time great Eliud Kipchoge in the process, while Hellen Obiri won her first ever marathon in the women’s race.  

Chebet crossed the finish line in 2:05:54, ten seconds ahead Gabriel Geay who finished in 2:06:04. Benson Kipruto, Chebet’s training partner, placed third in 2:06:06. 

Kipchoge, seeking a win in his first ever appearance on the fabled Boston course, led for most of the first 30 kilometers. But his fortunes quickly changed when Geay made a move about 90 minutes into the race. A pack of five soon formed and Kipchoge wasn’t not among them. By 35 kilometers he was more than a minute behind the leaders and ultimately finished sixth in 2:09:23. It was just the third loss of Kipchoge's marathon career, a period that stretches back to 2013.

Scott Fable was the top American finishing seventh in 2:09:44.

Hellen Obiri Wins Competitive 2023 Women's Boston Marathon 

The women’s race was competitive throughout. With five kilometers remaining, five women were in contention—Obiri, Lonah Saltpeter, Emma Bates, Amane Beriso and Ababel Yeshaneh. The group dwindled to three, Obiri, Beriso and Yeshaneh, with a mile left. 

Obiri, who has won six Olympic and World Championship medals on the track, gained separation in the final stretches of the race. She crossed the line in 2:21:38 with Beriso second in 2:21:50. Saltpeter came up for third in 2:21:57, with Yeshaneh fourth (2:22:00) and Bates in fifth (2:22:10).

This was Obiri’s second attempt at the marathon distance. Last fall she finished sixth at the New York City Marathon. 

Bates’ time was the second fastest by an American on the Boston course.