Worknesh Degefa to Defend Boston Marathon Title

ADDIS ABEBA – Reigning champion Worknesh Degefa head a list of eight past winners who’ll line up for the 124th edition of the Boston Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label road race, on 20 April, according to the Organisers for World Athletics.

Athlete Worknesh, the Ethiopian record holder at 2:17:41, won the 2019 race by an impressive 42-second margin.

During the race, she said, “I could see first-hand how special the city of Boston, all the towns along the course, and the community is to so many people. And of course, I look forward to the challenge next April of once again racing against the world’s best athletes.”

In the men’s race, Lawrence Cherono will take on 2018 winner Yuki Kawauchi of Japan, Kenyan Goeffrey Kirui, the 2017 winner, and Desisa, the winner in 2013 and 2015.

“Boston will have a special place in my memories forever,” said Cherono, who has won eight marathons, most recently Chicago in October. “I loved every mile of this race and fought until the end to achieve the first place and become part of the elite family to have won the most prestigious race of the world.”

—

Image: On her own, Worknesh Degefa in Boston (Photo Victah Sailer)