The women's field at the 130th Boston Marathon on April 21 shapes up as one of the deepest in the race's storied history, headlined by defending champion Sharon Lokedi and American record holder Emily Sisson. For the first time in Boston's history, all four defending open and wheelchair division champions will return alongside the reigning US record holders.
Lokedi arrives in superb form after her breakthrough victory in 2025, where she pulled away from the field on the Newton hills to win convincingly. The Kenyan has proven herself particularly adept on hilly courses, making the point-to-point Boston course an ideal venue for her aggressive racing style. She will be looking to become the first woman to defend the Boston title since Buzunesh Deba in 2014-2015.
Sisson represents the greatest American hope for a Boston victory since Desiree Linden's emotional triumph in 2018. The US record holder at 2:18:29 has been vocal about targeting a major marathon victory in 2026, and Boston's challenging course rewards the kind of gutsy, even-paced racing that has become Sisson's trademark. A strong finishing kick combined with her ability to maintain pace through the hills makes her a genuine contender for the title.
The international contingent is equally formidable. Ethiopian distance talent and rising marathon star Gotytom Gebreslase, the 2022 World Championship marathon gold medallist, adds championship pedigree to the field. Japanese marathon runners continue to improve at an unprecedented rate, with several athletes capable of challenging for podium positions if the conditions align on race day.
Weather will be a key factor, as always in Boston. The race's April date means conditions can range from near-freezing headwinds to unseasonable warmth, and the point-to-point course with its significant net downhill and the famous Newton hills demands a unique tactical approach. With a field this deep and Boston's unpredictable conditions, the 2026 women's race promises to be one for the ages.