Trending Now - Talbi and Mcclain Set New American Records at Boston Marathon
WHO:
AP News - Zouhair Talbi and Jess McClain are the top American finishers at the Boston Marathon.
AP News - Talbi is a Moroccan who became an American citizen in 2025.
AP News - John Korir is the defending champion of the Boston Marathon.
AP News - Sharon Lokedi is the women's defending champion of the Boston Marathon.
WHAT:
AP News - Talbi and McClain ran the fastest times ever for Americans at the Boston Marathon, both finishing fifth in their respective divisions.
AP News - Talbi's time of 2 hours, 3 minutes, 45 seconds is a new American record for the Boston Marathon.
AP News - McClain's time of 2 hours, 20 minutes, 49 seconds is also a new American record for the Boston Marathon.
AP News - The previous records for American runners in Boston were set by Ryan Hall in 2011 and Shalane Flanagan in 2014.
AP News - Talbi finished the men's race in 2 hours, 3 minutes, 45 seconds.
AP News - McClain finished the women's race in 2 hours, 20 minutes, 49 seconds.
AP News - Seven American men and twelve American women finished in the top 20.
AP News - Four American women finished in the top 10.
AP News - Korir won the men's race with a time of 2 hours, 1 minute, 52 seconds, breaking the Boston Marathon course record.
AP News - Lokedi won the women's race in 2 hours, 18 minutes, 51 seconds.
AP News - McClain was the top American woman in her Boston debut in 2025, finishing seventh.
WHERE:
AP News - The Boston Marathon took place in Boston, Massachusetts.
WHEN:
AP News - The Boston Marathon occurred on April 20th, 2026.
AP News - Talbi won the Houston Marathon on January 15th, 2026.
AP News - McClain participated in the U.S. half marathon championships in Atlanta on March 5th, 2026.
WHY:
AP News - McClain stated, “I think we’re in an era in distance running, on the men and women’s sides, but especially the women’s side, where we’re all making each other so much better every time we line up with one another.”
AP News - McClain stated that the competitive environment in distance running is improving performance for both men and women.
AP News - Talbi emphasized the need for American distance runners to push each other to improve.
HOW:
AP News - Talbi said he was focused on trying to catch the runner ahead of him, which pushed him to run faster.
AP News - Talbi focused on catching the runner ahead of him to achieve his fast time.
AP News - McClain tried to ignore her watch during the race to maintain her pace.
(UPDATED April 21, 2026 05:42 UTC)
At the Boston Marathon, both Abdi Talbi and Emma McClain made history by setting new American records in their divisions, finishing fifth with remarkable times. Talbi clocked in at 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 45 seconds, while McClain completed the race in 2 hours, 20 minutes, and 49 seconds, surpassing the previous records set by Ryan Hall and Shalane Flanagan. In reflecting on their achievements, McClain noted the competitive spirit in distance running is driving everyone to improve, while Talbi shared that his focus on catching the runner ahead of him motivated his impressive performance.
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(UPDATED April 21, 2026 04:06 UTC)
At the Boston Marathon on Monday, Zouhair Talbi, a Moroccan who became an American citizen in 2025, finished the men's race as the top American with a time of 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 45 seconds, while John Korir won the race, breaking the course record with a time of 2 hours, 1 minute, and 52 seconds. In the women's race, Sharon Lokedi defended her title with a finish of 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 51 seconds, and Jess McClain, making her Boston debut, was the top American woman, finishing in 2 hours, 20 minutes, and 49 seconds. Both Talbi and McClain highlighted the competitive environment in distance running, with Talbi emphasizing the importance of American runners pushing each other to improve.