New York lessons fuel Lokedi's Boston title defence next month

Sharon Lokedi/ HANDOUT

Despite falling short in her bid to defend the New York Half Marathon crown, Sharon Lokedi insists the outing offered the perfect litmus test as she fine-tunes her arsenal ahead of next month’s Boston Marathon title defence. 

Last Sunday, Lokedi clocked 1:07:10 to settle for second place, trailing compatriot Hellen Obiri, who set a course record time of 1:06:33. Britain’s Megan Keith completed the podium in 1:07:13.

Lokedi had arrived in New York with her sights fixed on a successful title defence, having stormed to victory last year in 1:07:04. On that occasion, she unleashed a devastating kick to see off American Fiona O'Keeffe (1:07:46) and Britain’s Calli Hauger-Thackery (1:07:49).

While the crown slipped from her grasp this time, Lokedi believes the high-octane showdown has laid down a crucial marker ahead of Boston.

“The race puts me in a good place for Boston. Honestly, coming here, I definitely wanted to defend my title, but I also wanted to gauge myself,” she said.

“I think I am in a good place, I just have to keep going for the next few weeks and try to build it up from here.”

The 32-year-old heads into Boston as the defending champion after a commanding run last year, where she timed 2:17:22 to outkick Obiri (2:17:41) and Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw (2:18:06).

She had earlier recorded a second-place finish at the 2024 edition, clocking 2:22:45 behind Obiri’s 2:22:37. This year’s Boston clash, set for April 20, promises high-octane action in the women's field.

Lokedi will line up against 2025 Chicago Marathon runner-up Irine Cheptai and 2024 Sydney Marathon champion Workenesh Edesa.

Also in the mix are seasoned campaigners, including Kenya’s veteran star Vivian Cheruiyot, Mary Ngugi-Cooper and American record holder Emily Sisson.

Reflecting on the New York race, Lokedi admitted the early tempo proved punishing, forcing her to recalibrate mid-race. “The race started too quickly, but I was able to close it out, and I got into my rhythm,” she said.

The contest ignited from the gun, with World Cross Country champion Agnes Ng'etich injecting a blistering early pace. Obiri shadowed her move, stride for stride, before unleashing her trademark finishing kick to decisive effect.

Ng’etich would eventually fade to 13th in 1:10:25 in her debut half-marathon on American soil. “I really tried to close the gap, but I decided to go with my own pace, and I went with that,” Lokedi added. “At the back of my head, I knew it was going to be a quick pace, so I had to be tactical in my approach.”

Lokedi further revealed that her build-up to New York was deliberately measured, as her primary focus remains the Boston Marathon.

“It’s in the middle of the marathon block, so my legs were very heavy, but it’s good to get myself going and just build up from here,” she said.