Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi dismantled the women’s course record in Boston to register her second AbbottWMM career victory.
The 31-year-old ended countrywoman Hellen Obiri’s hopes of three consecutive Boston victories in the process and took her place in the record books with 2:17:22 that takes the leading time from Buzunesh Deba of 2:19:59 set in 2014
Lokedi had come close in recent years, and was the last challenger to fall away 12 months ago as Obiri struck late on to break her resistance, losing by just eight seconds.
But there was to be no repeat of that outcome this Patriots’ Day.
“I’m always second to her and today I was like: There’s no way,” she said. “I just have to put it out there and fight till the end and see how it goes. I’m so glad I ran that fast and she was right behind me. We all fought and wanted this so bad.”
Taking her tactics straight from Obiri’s successful playbook, Lokedi waited until the final mile to strike for home, eventually pulling clear to win by 19 seconds, with Yalemzerf Yehualaw in third.
“At halfway we ran 68 minutes. and we just kept going, as we kept going, I knew we were running fast and when I crossed and saw the time, I still can’t believe it.”
Lokedi adds this win to her 2022 New York City victory, and now puts herself into contention for the AbbottWMM Series title if she can enjoy a successful race in the fall.
The day also marked a fond farewell for 2018 Boston champion Des Linden, who announced ahead of the race that it would be her last marathon as a professional.
Linden’s compatriot Jess Mcclain was the first American woman home, ahead of Annie Frisbie and Emma Bates.
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