Sharon Lokedi at the Copenhagen Half Marathon/ HANDOUTReigning Boston Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi believes her stunning personal best at the Copenhagen Half Marathon has sharpened her form ahead of her return to the New York City Marathon on November 2.
Lokedi clocked a career-best 1:05:00 in Denmark over the weekend, slicing nearly four minutes off her previous best of 1:08:14 set at the New York Half Marathon in 2022. The performance earned her a strong second-place finish behind Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw, who took the win in a course record time of 1:04:44.
Another Ethiopian, Wede Kefale, rounded out the podium in 1:05:21. Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei (1:06:22), Gladys Chepkurui (1:06:24), Phena Yego (1:07:05), and Cintia Chepng’eno (1:07:39) completed a competitive Kenyan presence in the top seven.
“In very rainy and wet conditions, I was able to lower my half marathon personal best from 68:14 to 65:00. I couldn’t be more proud,” Lokedi posted after the race.
“I put myself in it early and stayed in it. There were moments during the race when I questioned going out at a hot pace, but I’m glad I stuck with it.”
Amebaw’s searing pace not only shattered the course record — previously held by Margaret Chelimo at 1:05:11 — but also forced Lokedi to dig deep. That tactical gamble, Lokedi believes, has refined her fitness and race strategy heading into the streets of New York.
Lokedi aims to reclaim the New York City Marathon crown she won in 2022, when she stunned a world-class field with a 2:23:23 in her marathon debut. She edged out Israel’s Lonah Chemtai Salpeter (2:23:30) and Ethiopia’s Gotytom Gebreslase (2:23:39) to claim victory.
Her title defence in 2023 fell short as she finished third in 2:27:33, behind Hellen Obiri (2:27:23) and Letesenbet Gidey (2:27:29). Last year, Lokedi faded to ninth place with a time of 2:27:45, in a race won by Sheila Chepkirui in 2:24:35.
But her 2025 season has so far signalled a strong return to form. Lokedi opened the year with a win at the New York Half Marathon, clocking 1:07:04, before securing a commanding victory at the Boston Marathon, where she ran 2:17:22 — a personal best and one of the fastest times ever by a Kenyan woman.
Obiri (2:17:41) and Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw (2:18:06) completed the Boston podium.
Although she finished fifth at the New York Mini 10K (31:13), Lokedi quickly bounced back, winning the Boston 10K in 31:39 in a dramatic photo finish against Gladys Kwamboka, who clocked the same time.
In New York this November, Lokedi will face a stacked women’s field that includes defending champion Sheila Chepkirui, Hellen Obiri, and seasoned Kenyan stars Vivian Cheruiyot and Edna Kiplagat. The international lineup features Gotytom Gebreslase, the 2022 World Marathon Champion, and Emily Sisson, the American record holder and home favorite.
For Lokedi, the goal is clear: to prove her 2022 triumph was no fluke — and that she’s peaking at just the right time.
