Exclusive: Boston Marathon Hat-Trick the Goal for Kenya’s Evans Chebet

Two-time Boston Marathon champion Evans Chebet is eager to reclaim his title and stretch his wins on the challenging course to three in five appearances.

Chebet is among the elite marathoners confirmed for the 2025 edition, scheduled for Monday, April 21 in Boston, Massachusetts in the United States of America.

The 37-year-old was looking to make it three wins in a row last year but had to contend with a third-place finish in what was his fourth appearance in the race.

His bid for a third straight title, having clinched top honours in 2022 and 2023, was thwarted by the Ethiopian duo of Mohamed Esa and Sissy Lemma, who took silver and gold respectively.

Lemma's blistering pace in the first half of the race worked against the plans of many, as Chebet and other seasoned marathoners found no perfect response to.

The 2021 London Marathon champion covered the first half in 1:00:19, the fastest half-way split pace in the history of the Boston Marathon, and seemed determined to break Geoffrey Mutai's course record of 2:03:02 from 2011.

Even though he slowed down in the second phase due to the hilly terrain, the damage had already been inflicted on the chasing pack, allowing him to win by a comfortable margin of 41 seconds.

The last thing Chebet, who blamed pain in the legs for the loss to Lemma, would want to see in 2025 is a clean pair of heels ahead of him in the Boston course.

CHEBET KEEN TO MATCH BOSTON SUCCESS WITH KENYAN GREATS

Having resumed training at the start of the year, Chebet is leaving nothing to chance as he hopes to join his compatriots;  Cosmas Ndeti, Ibrahim Hussein and Robert Cheruiyot in winning the Boston title at least three times.

Ndeti won the Boston Marathon title in three consecutive years; 1993, 1994 and 1995 to make him the joint second most successful Kenyan marathoner in the history of the race.

Hussein, just like Ndeti, also savoured the Boston crown three times; in 1988, 1991 and in 1992.

At the top of the list is Cheruiyot, who secured the title four times- in 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008 making him the joint most successful male athlete in the race with Bill Rodgers.

The American, who also clinched the New York title four times, was successful on the Boston's course; in 1975, 1978,1979 and 1980.

Chebet, who is regarded as one of the best marathoners in tackling tough courses, says he wants his fifth appearance in Boston to be remembered as one in which he won the title in style.

"I am building up on my training load, and the body is responding well. The aim is to be in the best shape possible for Boston, as I will aim to reclaim the title. Last year, I developed pain in the leg in the middle of the race, and had to persevere. I am, however, hoping to make amends this year and win my third Boston title," he told SportsBoom.com.

CAN CHEBET BETTER HIS BOSTON TIME?

Asked whether he was also interested in lowering his best time in the course, the 2022 New York Marathon champion did not rule out the possibility.

Chebet won his maiden Boston title in 2022 after clocking 2:06:51 before defending it in the following year in 2:05:54 in difficult weather conditions.

The 2020 Valencia Marathon champion remained optimistic of lowering his best time, as far as the Boston race is concerned, should the weather be perfect.

He revealed that his training regime will entail running on hilly courses to match that of Boston, which he described as tough, particularly between 30-40 kilometers.

"It is possible to register better times in Boston than I have done before. The course is always difficult, but I trust that I will be adequately prepared to tackle it. I hope that the weather will be kind this year. Running in good conditions is often underrated, it means a lot to athletes," he said.

GOLD IN BOSTON COULD LAND CHEBET IN TOKYO

Despite his impressive performances in Boston, Chebet missed out on the Kenyan team for the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon.

He was also snubbed when Athletics Kenya announced the marathon team for the Paris Olympics, as they settled for; double champion Eliud Kipchoge, London Marathon champion Alexander Mutiso and Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto.

Chebet, who debuted in the World Majors in Berlin 2016, is however, hoping to make his long-awaited appearance in the Kenyan team for the 2024 Tokyo World Athletics Championships.

His hopes victory in Boston will boost his rankings to stand a chance of being in the team that will be seeking to land the first world title since 2017.

Geoffrey Kirui was the last Kenyan to clinch a world title when he clocked 2:08:27 in the London Championships.

"It is my prayer to be in the Kenyan team for Tokyo. It is all dependent on my rankings and how I will perform in Boston," added Chebet.