Trailblazing Lokedi eyes historic Boston Marathon title defense
Athletics – 2022 TCS New York City Marathon - New York, United States - November 6, 2022 Kenya's Sharon Lokedi crosses the finish line to win the elite women's race REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
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Defending champion Sharon Lokedi will return to Boston seeking back-to-back titles after organizers unveiled a stacked women’s field for the World Athletics Platinum Label Boston Marathon set for April 20.
Last year, it was an unforgettable day for Lokedi, who held off the challenge of immediate former champion Hellen Obiri to claim glory in the women’s race.
The Paris Olympian clocked a course record of 2:17:22 for victory, as Obiri—who was chasing a historic third consecutive Boston title—had to settle for second. The Olympic marathon bronze medallist faded in the final two kilometers, eventually crossing the line in 2:17:41, while Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw finished third in 2:18:06.
The 31-year-old Kenyan, raised in Olaare Village in Burnt Forest, Uasin Gishu County, and hailing from Kaptagat, went on to confirm her consistency on the world stage six months later by finishing second at the New York City Marathon in an official personal best of 2:20:07.
She headlines a strong Kenyan challenge that includes Irine Cheptai, fourth in Boston last year; 2024 New York Marathon bronze medalist Vivian Cheruiyot; and experienced campaigner Mary Ngugi-Cooper—a five-time Boston top-10 finisher who ran 2:19:25 in Chicago last season.
Ethiopia will counter with multiple marathon winners, Workenesh Edesa and Bedatu Hirpa, setting up what organizers expect to be a high-quality contest on Patriots’ Day.
In total, 11 women in the field have personal bests faster than 2:20 for the marathon.
“The 130th edition of the Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America will feature unrivaled depth and head-to-head racing that’ll be exciting from start to finish,” said B.A.A. Chief Operating Officer Mary Kate Shea.
The men’s professional field will be announced in the coming weeks, with defending champion John Korir already confirmed for the 130th edition of the world’s oldest annual marathon.
Women’s field
Irine Cheptai (KEN) 2:17:51
Workenesh Edesa (ETH) 2:17:55
Magdalena Shauri (TAN) 2:18:03
Joan Melly (ROU) 2:18:04
Loice Chemnung (KEN) 2:18:24
Bedatu Hirpa (ETH) 2:18:27
Emily Sisson (USA) 2:18:29
Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN) 2:18:31
Keira D’Amato (USA) 2:19:12
Mary Ngugi-Cooper (KEN) 2:19:26
Sharon Lokedi (KEN) 2:20:07
Sara Hall (USA) 2:20:32
Gadise Mulu (ETH) 2:20:59
Calli Hauger-Thackery (GBR) 2:21:24
Fikrte Wereta (ETH) 2:21:32
Susanna Sullivan (USA) 2:21:56
Fiona O’Keeffe (USA) 2:22:10
Mao Uesugi (JPN) 2:22:11
Erika Kemp (USA) 2:22:56
Isobel Batt-Doyle (AUS) 2:22:59
Lisa Weightman (AUS) 2:23:15
Natosha Rogers (USA) 2:23:28
Mercy Chelangat (KEN) 2:23:33
Annie Frisbie (USA) 2:24:12
Dakotah Popehn (USA) 2:24:20
Gabi Rooker (USA) 2:24:29
Leanne Pompeani (AUS) 2:24:47
Jess McClain (USA) 2:25:46
Last year, it was an unforgettable day for Lokedi, who held off the challenge of immediate former champion Hellen Obiri to claim glory in the women’s race.
The Paris Olympian clocked a course record of 2:17:22 for victory, as Obiri—who was chasing a historic third consecutive Boston title—had to settle for second. The Olympic marathon bronze medallist faded in the final two kilometers, eventually crossing the line in 2:17:41, while Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw finished third in 2:18:06.
The 31-year-old Kenyan, raised in Olaare Village in Burnt Forest, Uasin Gishu County, and hailing from Kaptagat, went on to confirm her consistency on the world stage six months later by finishing second at the New York City Marathon in an official personal best of 2:20:07.
She headlines a strong Kenyan challenge that includes Irine Cheptai, fourth in Boston last year; 2024 New York Marathon bronze medalist Vivian Cheruiyot; and experienced campaigner Mary Ngugi-Cooper—a five-time Boston top-10 finisher who ran 2:19:25 in Chicago last season.
Ethiopia will counter with multiple marathon winners, Workenesh Edesa and Bedatu Hirpa, setting up what organizers expect to be a high-quality contest on Patriots’ Day.
In total, 11 women in the field have personal bests faster than 2:20 for the marathon.
“The 130th edition of the Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America will feature unrivaled depth and head-to-head racing that’ll be exciting from start to finish,” said B.A.A. Chief Operating Officer Mary Kate Shea.
The men’s professional field will be announced in the coming weeks, with defending champion John Korir already confirmed for the 130th edition of the world’s oldest annual marathon.
Women’s field
Irine Cheptai (KEN) 2:17:51
Workenesh Edesa (ETH) 2:17:55
Magdalena Shauri (TAN) 2:18:03
Joan Melly (ROU) 2:18:04
Loice Chemnung (KEN) 2:18:24
Bedatu Hirpa (ETH) 2:18:27
Emily Sisson (USA) 2:18:29
Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN) 2:18:31
Keira D’Amato (USA) 2:19:12
Mary Ngugi-Cooper (KEN) 2:19:26
Sharon Lokedi (KEN) 2:20:07
Sara Hall (USA) 2:20:32
Gadise Mulu (ETH) 2:20:59
Calli Hauger-Thackery (GBR) 2:21:24
Fikrte Wereta (ETH) 2:21:32
Susanna Sullivan (USA) 2:21:56
Fiona O’Keeffe (USA) 2:22:10
Mao Uesugi (JPN) 2:22:11
Erika Kemp (USA) 2:22:56
Isobel Batt-Doyle (AUS) 2:22:59
Lisa Weightman (AUS) 2:23:15
Natosha Rogers (USA) 2:23:28
Mercy Chelangat (KEN) 2:23:33
Annie Frisbie (USA) 2:24:12
Dakotah Popehn (USA) 2:24:20
Gabi Rooker (USA) 2:24:29
Leanne Pompeani (AUS) 2:24:47
Jess McClain (USA) 2:25:46
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