Simbu shines at 2025 Boston Marathon

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s long-distance running star Alphonce Simbu proudly flew the national flag high after finishing second in the 2025 Boston Marathon held on Monday, April 21, in the United States.

Simbu clocked an impressive time of 2:05:04, narrowly trailing Kenya’s John Korir who claimed victory with a winning time of 2:04:45.

It was a tightly contested race, and Simbu had to dig deep in the final stretch to secure his position on the podium.

The battle for second place was intense, with Simbu competing neck-and-neck with another Kenyan athlete, Cybrian Kokut.

 The two crossed the finish line almost simultaneously, with Simbu edging Kokut by inches. Although both runners were awarded the same finishing time, Simbu was officially placed second, while Kokut settled for third.

At the 40-kilometer mark, Simbu was locked in a three-way tussle with Kokut and American runner Conner Mantz.

 It was in the final stages along Boylston Street that Simbu outpaced his rivals with a strategic push, displaying tactical brilliance and sheer determination.

Mantz eventually finished fourth with a time of 2:05:08. His performance marked the second-fastest time ever recorded by an American in the history of the Boston Marathon, trailing only Ryan Hall’s 2:04:58 set in 2011.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma, the defending champion, failed to retain his title in this highly competitive edition of the marathon.

For his outstanding performance, Simbu walked away with a cash prize of USD 75,000—equivalent to approximately Sh 201.4 million. Race winner John Korir received USD 150,000, which translates to around Sh403.2 million.

Simbu’s podium finish in one of the world’s most prestigious marathons is a remarkable achievement for Tanzanian athletics and a testament to his consistency and hard work on the global stage.

His performance has not only earned him global recognition but also inspired a new wave of hope and ambition among aspiring athletes back home.