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Have Any Latinos Won the Boston Marathon?
The Boston Marathon 2025 brought together over 30,000 runners from around the world to race through the historic 26.2-mile stretch between Hopkinton and Boylston Street. It’s one of the toughest and most prestigious races on the global calendar, and this year, it lived up to the name again: record times, packed streets, and strong showings from runners across continents, including Latin America.
The winners of the day were both from Kenya: John Korir took the men’s elite race, and Sharon Lokedi claimed the women’s victory. But it wasn’t just about the leaders. Several Latino runners really made their mark, and the display of Latin American flags and the enthusiastic Spanish cheers along the race route truly highlighted how international this event has become.
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Standout Latino Performances in Boston 2025
Two exceptional performances came from athletes representing Colombia and Mexico. From Colombia, Isaías Gómez clocked in at 2:21:37, recording one of the fastest times by a Latino male this year. “Running in Boston was my dream,” Gómez told reporters. “And what I experienced here exceeded all my expectations.” He credited support from the Colombian community and Latin spectators for keeping him strong through the Newton hills.
In the women’s elite race, Sandra Morales, from Mexico, finished with a personal best of 2:29:14. “Each step I dedicated to my people,” she said while holding a Mexican flag at the finish line. Her time placed her well among international elites and earned her recognition as the top Latina woman in this edition. While no Latino runner made it to the podium this year, performances like these continue to raise the profile and momentum for the region in international long-distance running.
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It wasn’t just the athletes who stood out. The streets of Boston were filled with Latin pride: families waving flags, signs in Spanish, and cheers for runners from Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, and more. In a race defined by individual effort, the community’s support was both loud and clear. Events like these aren’t just about who crosses the finish line first: they’re also about who shows up and represents. This year, once again, Latin American runners were a crucial part of that narrative.
Have Latinos Ever Won the Boston Marathon?
The short answer is: yes, but it’s rare. In the long history of the Boston Marathon (this year was the 129th edition), only three Latino men have taken the overall win. No Latina has ever won the women’s race. Here’s who made history:
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1952 – Doroteo Guamuch Flores (Mateo Flores), Guatemala
Time: 2:31:53
Flores ran the race wearing street shoes because he couldn’t afford running sneakers. His win was so significant in Guatemala that a stadium was later renamed in his honor.
1971 – Álvaro Mejía, Colombia
Time: 2:18:45
A major figure in South American athletics, Mejía was already known for wins in races across the region. His Boston victory marked a highlight in his international career.
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1982 – Alberto Salazar, United States (of Cuban descent)
Time: 2:08:52
Although he competed for the U.S., Salazar was born to Cuban parents and is often recognized as a Latino figure in distance running. He also claimed victory in the New York Marathon three consecutive times.
While these victories are legendary, it’s been over 40 years since a Latino took the top spot in Boston. However, with growing participation and increasingly strong performances each year, that could soon change.
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The Boston Marathon is one of those few occasions where everyday athletes run the same course as world champions. That’s what makes it so impactful. It also provides an ideal platform for Latino runners to showcase what they’ve been working towards.
As the marathon world continues to grow, and as more runners from Latin America qualify and compete at major races like this one, it’s only a matter of time before another name is added to that short list of Latino champions.
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