Benson Kipruto (Kenya) and Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu have formed a chasing couplet in behind the runaway leader, yet John Korir’s gap is widening, rather than closing. 36km down; six and a bit to go.

That lead is 22 seconds at the 21-mile mark for the defending men’s champion. It’s looking good for John Korir.

You can still throw a blanket (admittedly, a broad one) over the women’s field. Nip and tuck entering the crucial miles, though the scarlet-haired Annie Frisbie is showing strongly as the American looks to improve on an eighth-placed finish 12 months ago.

John Korir might be gone. There’s still a long way to go, of course, and time enough for a similar move, but there are 10 kilometres of open road ahead of a 29-year-old improving with age. Can he go quicker than last year and, perhaps, challenge Geoffrey Mutai’s course record (2:03:02) from 2011?

Watch your back, Milikesa – here comes John Korir! With renewed energy, the defending champion accelerates past the leader and keeps striding on, engine whirring smoothly as he goes. Scary closing speed from the Kenyan, now at the head of the race as Mengesha attempts to cling to his coattails.

It’s a 12-second advantage for Milikesa Mengesha, with John Korir among a trailing quintet looking to make up that gap in the last 12 kilometres. Mengesha is a long way ahead of the course record as things stand, though this gruelling course will sap the legs.

Through the halfway mark for the women in a smidge over 1min 11sec. Sharon Lokedi, the defending champion, looks rock solid, nestled in the pack.

Mengesha set his PB in that Berlin run, and was also a winner in Shanghai last year. He’s the sort of calibre of athlete who can get away from even a strong field.

He drifts away from the rest of the runners for a bit, choosing a different path nearer a large fence. A bit more shelter from the wind? It’s tough to say but Mengesha looks strong.

No such obvious movement in the women’s event, seven kilometres back down the road.

And here is another insurgent: Milkesa Mengesha took out a marathon major in Berlin a couple of years ago and is making his presence known.

Back to the men, who are nearing the 25km mark, and a sight to worry the field. Defending champion John Korir moves up alongside Lemi Berhanu with effortless ease. Zouhair Talbi, born in Morocco but American-based, is right up there, too, though few are yet out of the running.

“It took a lot. But having great weather, having the crowds, there is no better time to give it all, right?

“For me, it’s all in. I know once I get to the top of the hill, I have a bit of a rest, and the quicker I get to the top, the quicker it is over.

“It was tough after my first Boston win and it has taken a lot to get back here. To take it from the front again, and run a very similar race to 2024, I’m so happy. To prove to myself I can do it again is such a big confidence boost.”

Switzerland’s Catherine Debrunner comes home for a distant silver, with home hope Tatyana McFadden in for bronze.