John Korir won the Boston Marathon again, and this time he did it faster than anyone else before him.The 29-year-old Kenyan captured his second title in a row in the men's race in record time, besting what organizers considered the fastest field in the 130-year history of the world's most prestigious marathon. His time of 2 hours, 1 minute, 52 seconds set a Boston Marathon men's course record.Korir took the lead for good in the 20th mile and wound up crossing the finish line 55 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Alphonce Simbu, the 2025 world champion from Tanzania. Simbu and 2021 Boston Marathon champion Benson Kipruto each beat the previous men's course record despite not winning Monday's race.Does that mean the first sub-two hour marathon runner could be coming soon?

Perhaps as soon as next year? Korir's performance in the 2026 Boston Marathon is considered the fifth-fastest marathon of all-time, and six of the best eight times in Boston Marathon history have occurred over the past two races.Here's a look at the fastest marathon races ever, as well as the fastest times recorded in the 130-year history of the Boston Marathon: ON THE COURSE: Why Nike took down its Boston Marathon adWhat is the Boston Marathon record?John Korir set a Boston Marathon men's course record when he won the 2026 edition of the race on Monday, April 20 in 2:01.52. The previous record (2:03.02) was set by Geoffrey Mutai in 2011.Sharon Lokedi, who also won the Boston Marathon for the second year in a row on Monday, set the women's course record of 2:17.22 in 2025. Her winning time of 2:18.51 in 2026 is the second-fastest in Boston Marathon women's course history.Fastest men's marathons of all timeAll times courtesy of worldathletics.orgKelvin Kiptum, 2023 Chicago Marathon: 2:00.35Eliud Kipchoge, 2022 Berlin Marathon: 2:01.09Kenenisa Bekele, 2019 Berlin Marathon: 2:01.41Sisay Lemma, 2023 Valencia Marathon: 2:01.48John Korir, 2026 Boston Marathon: 2:01.52Boston Marathon best timesAll times courtesy of the Boston Athletic AssociationJohn Korir, 2026: 2:01.52Alphonce Simbu, 2026: 2:02.47Benson Kipruto, 2026: 2:02.50Geoffrey Mutai, 2011: 2:03.02Moses Mosop, 2011: 2:03.06Hailemaryam Kiros, 2026: 2:03.42Zouhair Talbi, 2026: 2:03.45John Korir, 2025: 2:04.45Gebregziabher Gebremariam, 2011: 2:04.53Ryan Hall, 2011: 2:04.58Alphonse Simbu, 2025: 2:05.04 Connor Mantz, 2025: 2:05.08Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot, 2010: 2:05.52Evans Chebet, 2023: 2:05.54Muktar Edris, 2025: 2:05.59This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: John Korir sets Boston Marathon record; could sub-2-hour win be next?