Boston Marathon 2026 Predictions and Betting Odds: Who Will Win This Year?

Evans Chebet has done very well at the Boston Marathon, winning in both 2022 and 2023. This shows he understands the course better than most runners. Boston is a tough race, so experience really matters. However, his recent results raise some questions. Last year, he finished outside the top ten, which could mean other runners are catching up to him.

Still, it would be a mistake to count him out. He finished third in 2024, proving he can still compete at a high level. Marathon racing depends on many factors like training, weather, and race strategy, so one bad race doesn’t define a runner. If Chebet is in good shape again, he has a strong chance to win. His past success on this course gives him an important advantage.

John Korir comes into the Boston Marathon with strong recent results. John and Wesley Korir, who won in 2012, are the first set of brothers to be triumphant in Boston. He also won the 2024 Chicago Marathon. These achievements make him an exciting runner to watch.

However, winning this event back-to-back can be very difficult. Many runners struggle to perform at their best two years in a row in races like this. It might be safer to look at other runners who are more rested and better prepared for this race.

Benson Kipruto has an impressive career, with wins in major marathons like Boston, Chicago, Tokyo, and New York since 2021. On paper, he looks like a strong contender. He also raced the first World Marathon Major last month in Tokyo, where he finished seventh.

At 35 years old, Kipruto is older than many top marathon runners. Most elite runners perform best in their late twenties or early thirties. This could mean he is starting to slow down, but Chebet is 37. The biggest issue is that he hasn’t raced the hills of Boston since 2023.

Even though Kipruto has a great history, his recent absence from this race makes him a riskier choice. His reputation might make people expect more than he can deliver.

Sifan Hassan is an Olympic champion with incredible success on the track. She has won gold medals at the last two Olympic Games, which shows her talent and speed. She has also done well in marathons, winning in Sydney and finishing third in London this year.

However, the Boston Marathon is very different from other races. Its course is challenging, with hills like Heartbreak Hill that require special preparation. Hassan has never raced Boston before, which could be a disadvantage.

Even top runners sometimes struggle in their first Boston Marathon because pacing and strategy are so important. Hassan clearly can compete, but her lack of experience on this course makes her a bit risky. She could do very well, but there are still some unknowns.

Sharon Lokedi is the defending Boston Marathon champion and even set a course record. This makes her one of the strongest contenders in the race. She has also shown consistency by finishing second in the New York Marathon, proving she can compete with top runners.

One possible weakness is her finishing speed. Compared to someone like Hassan, she may not be as fast in the final stretch of the race. However, Boston often rewards strength and endurance more than speed, which works in her favor.

Lokedi already knows how to handle the difficult parts of the course, including Heartbreak Hill. This experience gives her an advantage over less experienced runners. Overall, she has the skills and knowledge needed to perform well again.

Irine Cheptai is known for being a steady and consistent runner. She is especially strong on hills, which is important for the Boston Marathon course, where she finished fourth in 2025. This makes her a good fit for the race’s challenging terrain.

However, there is one major concern: she has never won a World Marathon Major. This suggests she may struggle to beat the very best runners when it matters most. While she typically performs well, she may lack the extra speed or strength needed to win. Her best finish is a second at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.

Cheptai is likely to finish in the top group, but winning may be difficult for her. Her strengths match the course, but Boston usually requires more than consistency to take first place. She is a solid competitor, but there may be safer choices for predicting a winner.