Eliud Kipchoge finishes sixth at Boston Marathon in his slowest ever time, Evans Chebet defends title

Eliud Kipchoge finished sixth at the 2023 Boston Marathon in 2:09:23, his slowest ever marathon and his poorest showing since he finished eighth at the 2020 London Marathon.

The 38-year-old was unable to keep up with the pace in the rain, with Evans Chebet defending his title in 2:05:54, making him the first man to win back-to-back titles since Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot won three in a row from 2006-2008.

Chebet has won his last three marathons, winning the New York City race in 2022. Fellow Kenyan Hellen Obiri triumphed in the women’s event on only her second outing over 26.2 miles, coming home in 2:21:38.

Kipchoge was in a seven-strong front group when, with around seven miles remaining, Gabriel Geay increased the pace.

“Are we watching the undoing of Eliud Kipchoge in Boston? We haven’t even hit the worst of the hills yet…” wondered Tim Hutchings on Eurosport commentary.

Kipchoge’s appearance in Boston was part of his goal to become the first racer to win all six annual World Marathon Majors.

He has previously won four – Berlin, Chicago, London and Tokyo – a total of 10 times combined. He has never raced the other major in New York City.

In Monday’s wheelchair races, Marcel Hug won his sixth Boston title with a course record of 1:17:06. Susannah Scaroni won her first Boston title in 1:41:45.