Every year runners from various parts of the world compete in the famous Boston Marathon, normally held on the third Monday in April.

The Boston Marathon is reportedly one of the highest-paying races in the world, and the winners will get to walk away with a hefty sum.

The prize for the winners in the men’s and women’s top division is set at $150,000(Ksh 20,157,000). The first runner-up will pocket $75,000 (Sh10,078,500), while the second runner-up will go home with $40,000 (Ksh5,375,200).

The fourth position will take home Sh3.3 million, while the fifth and sixth will pocket Sh2.4 million and Sh 1.8 million, respectively.

In total, the Boston Marathon will award approximately $879,500 (Sh 118,512,625.00)in prize money during the 2023 race.

With the world celebrating the 127th edition of the Boston Marathon, all eyes were set on Kenya’s marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge who is making his debut in the Boston Marathon.

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Kipchoge was, however, defeated in the marathon, suffering a third defeat in his greatest marathon career. Kipchoge, who finished the sixth, clocked a time of 2:09:23.

2022 defending champion Evans Chebet won the race after crossing the finish line at 2:05:54, while the second position was taken by Tanzanian Gabriel Geay, who finished at 2:06:04.

Benson Kipruto came third at 2:06:04 after suffering a blink defeat from Geay. Chebet became the first person in 15 years to win back-to-back titles in Boston since Kenyan Robert Cheruiyot in 2008.

Other Kenyans in the race include Augustine Choge, Albert Korir, Hassan Chahdi, John Korir, and Mathew Korir.

On the women’s side, Kenyan Hellen Obiri won the women’s race after crossing the finish line at 2:21:38. Obiri, a two-time world champion and two-time Olympic medalist in the 5000m on the track, made her marathon debut in New York City last November with a sixth-place finish.

Kenyans led by President William Ruto have taken to social media to congratulate all the Kenyan Boston Marathon winners for defending the country’s title in athletics.

“Congratulations Evans Chebet for triumphantly defending your Boston Marathon title. Well, in Benson Kipruto for bringing home Bronze. Your incredible outing highlights your daredevil attitude.

Eliud Kipchoge, you are the beast: an inspiration to generations to dream far beyond their potential. Hongera,” Ruto wrote on his Twitter account.