Latest news with #SharonLokedi
Forbes
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Sharon Lokedi Talks Her Experience Winning The 2025 Boston Marathon
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 21: Sharon Lokedi of Kenya celebrates after winning the 129th Boston ... More Marathon Women's division on April 21, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by) At the 2025 Boston Marathon, Sharon Lokedi created history. The Kenyan runner won her first Boston Marathon while setting a new course record in the event. However, this win wasn't an easy one for the 31-year-old. Apart from facing competition in the face of Hellen Obiri, she also overcame previous unmet expectations and doubts by winning the 129th edition of the marathon. After placing ninth at the 2024 New York Marathon, Sharon took a break and returned with a transformative mindset. While maintaining her training, she also transformed her thought process of taking on the event. Notably, Sharon, who signed with Under Armour in 2019 right after graduating from Kansas University, also worked with the brand to provide feedback on the shoes that she trains and races her marathons in, including the Under Armour Velociti Elite 3, which she wore an unreleased version of and won in during this year's Boston Marathon. Following her incredible feat, Sharon spoke to me in an interview about her experience winning the Boston Marathon. Sharon also shared her ways to maintain her confidence while training and competing at such events. Paras: You managed to beat the previous record of 2:19:59 held by Ethiopia's Buzunesh Deba, which stood tall for more than a decade. Can you tell me what this grand achievement means to you? Sharon: It means a lot. It means a lot career-wise and just, you know, running-wise, just everything, because sometimes when you're training and you're running, you just want to achieve something. And then when you go to the start line and you run so well and you get to win and you get to have the record, it means a lot. It gives you so much confidence, and, just going forward, it just makes you so excited and look forward to what's more. And, you know, it just makes it that, just shows everyone or just shows people that anything is possible. You just work hard and put your head to it. Paras: You broke a record while claiming your first Boston Marathon win. But your training did not change much while preparing for this marathon. Do you feel after becoming the number one, there will be a few changes or some aspects you'd want to focus more on that can help you break your record in the future? Honestly, like, going forward now, it's just, you know, just staying true to what I've been doing and following the things that I've always been doing because sometimes, like, the trainings that you do are built from, like, the work that you've done in the past or, like, what you continue to do. So, yeah, going forward, I want to be able to go and run again and run fast, and, you know, but I have to focus on things like recovery or just getting stronger and getting faster because the competition out there is not easy. These races that we go to, they are always like we get the best of the best in the world. And even though I won, I'm still going to work hard, and I'm still going to, you know, train hard just to get out there to be able to get a better time or, like, to win more, you know, to represent, for like, World Championships or Olympics. You know, there's always something. So just always just staying focused and working hard and just being true to myself and my teammates and my coaches and, just doing anything that's possible to be the best that I could be. Kenyan long distance runner Sharon Lokedi embraces a supporter after wining the women's race during ... More the 129th Boston Marathon on April 21, 2025, in Boston, Massachusetts. The marathon includes around 30,000 athletes from 129 countries running the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston, Massachusetts. The event is the world's oldest annually run marathon. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images) Paras: Previously, you admitted that there were instances where you had felt a lack of confidence, but in a recent interview, you spoke about how your "doubts were a little bit less," and you were more confident about this year's Boston Marathon. What key factors contributed to this transformative shift in your mindset? Sharon: When I started training, I competed towards the end of last year at the New York Marathon, and I got ninth, and because, you know, you have certain expectations for yourself, you just want to be in a certain position or around a certain time, and being ninth, I was still very proud of it, but I also felt like I needed to figure out something, so when I came back, I took a longer break. Then when I started training for Boston, I just focused more on, like, you know, taking it time by time. Sometimes I like the workouts that emulate the marathon, so when I do those workouts, I make sure that I am walking like, 'You know, okay, this is going to be how the race is going to be.' And sometimes, you know, when I start to, like, feel like I am holding back, like I'm tired of something, then I just try to remember things like a race where I ran well, and that usually helps me to push harder and stronger So when I got to this race, I just knew I had done this in training. I've worked on, like, the little things that have always pulled me back, so it's just like any other day. I'm just going to go out there and try what I've been working on in practice and see how that goes. And when we go to the race, and apart from, like, the chill and the anxiety and everything that comes, deep down I was like, you know, no matter how it goes, just believe in yourself, just, you know, just be confident because you've done the training and done all the workouts that I thought worked great, and the half-marathon that I did really boosted my confidence, so even with that, there are, like, other things that make it feel like this might be a challenge. But then I reminded myself, "OK, you're here for a reason, and you're here to run and to compete, so just put yourself out there and just go for it. So even like later in the race when I was feeling like, Oh God, this is going to be so competitive, it's going to be so tough, it's about to be the same thing that always happens to me, but then I was like, No. So, I feel like it's always just talking to myself and trying to fight the negative consciousness that's always like, Hold it, like hold it, you still can't do it, still so far away. So, I had that in the back of my head. But I was just like, no, just stick to it and go, what, no matter the pace, stick to it, stay as long as I can. I think I even told my mom, Even if I pass out, fine, then I'll just pass out as soon as I cross the finish line, but I'm going to fight as hard as I can. I think that just going through it and reminding myself that and knowing that you're so strong you can do so, yes, those are some of the things that helped me achieve and cross the finish line quicker and faster. (L-R) Netherlands' Sifan Hassan, Kenya's Hellen Obiri, Ethiopia's Amane Beriso Shankule, Ethiopia's ... More Tigst Assefa cand Kenya's Sharon Lokedi compete in the women's marathon of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on August 11, 2024. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images) Paras: As you mentioned, the competition. You have consistently seen Hellen Obiri alongside you at the New York or Boston Marathons over the past few years. At the 2024 Boston Marathon, Obiri claimed her second consecutive title, leaving you behind by eight seconds. But this year you were able to win against Obiri. What does that accomplishment mean to you? Sharon: She's a very fierce competitor. So every time I know I'm going to compete with her, I have to be in my best form and in my best shape. So it's like one of those race that you just train, hoping that, you know, things would turn out different or depending on the day that you had. And yeah, I've always been like, She's always got me. But, you know, it happens, and I never lost hope or anything. I just wanted to keep working and then keep, aiming for that win because it's not easy. She has so much foot speed. And so I just have to figure out a way to work on getting faster and, you know, and being very competitive all the way through. And, you know, I'm really happy that I get to do this with her because I feel like she brings out the best in me. And yeah, like, in a way, sometimes she wins; this time I win. So it's just, like, a really good, friendly competition. So I am really looking forward to racing more with her. And yeah, she's awesome. She's also my friend. So we just try and work on things and just figure out how we can be better and how we can help, you know, inspire other generations and other people out there too. Paras: You both represented Kenya at the the Boston Marathon. And it was your first win against Obiri since the 2022 New York Marathon. Can you walk us through any pressure you actually felt at the event and how you dealt with it? Sharon: I mean, it's different because I feel like we both started running marathons together. And so in this field, given that there's so much of, like, the women that are running so fast and everything, you know, just being with her, I feel like it's always good because every time I know I'm like, I know this is going to be a good day or it's going to be a good race, and in a good way. I think it helps us get stronger. And, you know, it's like it's good when we go to the competition because we know for sure we'll have to battle it out all the way toward the end or whatever it is. Most of the time, we're always also helping each other because we just want to get fast. Everyone wants to get the time or, you know, a certain position. So, yeah, in a way, I don't think it's pressure. I think it's more like every time I see her name or we decide to run a race, I'm usually happy because I know for sure it's going to be a good one. So I see it as a way of just having to be out there with my friend competing and, you know, making each other proud and strong. Sharon Lokedi winning 129th Boston marathon Paras: Your performance was also highlighted by wearing Under Armour's Velocti Elite 3. Can you tell me about how your partnership with Under Armour works and what role Under Armour racing shoes have played in your journey? Right out of college I signed with Under Armour, back in 2019, and then I was not even doing the road running, and as soon as I started doing the road running, I felt like they've always been supportive; they've always tried to, like, involve the athletes and be a part of, like, your growth and everything. For me, they've been a part of me since I started really doing professional running, and even when I started doing road running, they've always been there and always like, Oh, what do you need? And we're going to get this for you. And when in 2022 they started the Velociti Elite Shoe, I was the first one to have it try it on, and you know, see how it feels, and you know, they are more personal to the athletes than anything, and I think that helps us because it's like even when making the shoe, like, we feel we're a part of it, so they'll bring you the shoe, you try it on, and then you give them the feedback, and then they're going to change it. It's always like there's communication between us and them. I feel like that as an athlete is all you need because if you have people that are always there for you and want to support you in anything, I feel like it's just what helps you be the best athlete you can be. For me, when I started doing marathon running, we had the first version of Velociti that I ran in New York and won the New York City Marathon. Then I ran all the others, like I went back to New York, I went back to Boston last year, and I even went to the Olympics in it. The version of the Velociti Elite 3 that I was wearing at this marathon was the one that I've always liked and tried. I have had it for a little bit longer, like six months, I think, and if it's just played a big role, I knew what I was getting back from the shoe and all that stuff. And it even got to the point that whatever you need as an athlete, if you need a recovery product, you need a nutritionist, and if you need a sports psychologist, anything that you need there, like, they'll provide for us, and that's, like, something that not most people get, and that's why I feel, like, so lucky to be part of, like, this big company like Under Armour that, you know, is always supportive and always there for the athletes.
Forbes
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
2025 Boston Marathon: Sharon Lokedi Sets A New Record; John Korir Creates Historic Legacy
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 21: Sharon Lokedi of Kenya crosses the finish line to win the 129th ... More Boston Marathon Women's division on April 21, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by) On Monday, Sharon Lokedi won the 2025 Boston Marathon with a new record. The 31-year-old won the world's oldest annual marathon in 2:17:22, breaking the course record. Lokedi bested the previous record of 2:19:59 set by Ethiopia's Buzunesh Deba in 2014. With this time, the Kenyan managed to surpass the defending champion Hellen Obiri (2:17:41) by 19 seconds. Lokedi, who started the race in the middle of the lead pack, surged in the last 1000 meters to surpass Obiri and deny her from completing a historic three-peat. Yalemzerf Yehualaw of Ethiopia placed third in 2:18:06. The race was certainly one of the closest in history, as all three winners managed to surpass the decade-long previous record. "It feels so good. It was tough, and I toughed it out." Lokedi stated in the post-race interview. Over the past few years, Obiri, a two-time Olympic silver medalist in 5,000 meters, and Sharon Lokedi, last year's Boston Marathon runner-up, have developed into a duo that has left the spectators on tiptoes until the end of the race. At the 2024 Boston Marathon, Obiri claimed her second consecutive title, leaving Lokedi behind by eight seconds. The two also faced each other at the New York Marathon in 2023, where the defending champion Lokedi placed third while Oberi claimed the gold. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 21: John Korir of Kenya celebrates with the trophy after winning the ... More 129th Boston Marathon Men's division on April 21, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by) Notably, the men's race was also claimed by a Kenyan runner, John Korir, placing first in 2:04:45. Korir, who took a fall in the beginning of the race, surged at mile 19 to 'become the fastest in the family.' The 28-year-old followed in the footsteps of his older brother Wesley, who won the event in 2012 and became the first sibling duo in history to win the Boston Marathon. Korir, who posted the second-fastest time in men's race history at the 129th Boston Marathon, was also almost eight minutes faster than Wesley, who notably claimed the title on one of city's hottest marathon days, peaking at 89 degrees. 'My brother Wesley, who won here in 2012, has always encouraged me to work hard, saying one day I will make it. I'm happy it has come to pass today," he stated Korir was followed by Alphonce Simbu of Tanzania, finishing second in 2:05:04. 28-year-old Conner Mantz was the top finisher for the U.S. placing fourth in 2:05:08. Mantz,who finished 11th in 2023, turned in the best performnce by an American runner at the Boston Marathon since 2018.
Boston Globe
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
History celebrated, history made at a picture-perfect running of the Boston Marathon
It was a day to make the most of their meteorological good luck (temperatures hit the low 60s) for the estimated more than half million who cheered the 30,000 runners on, at the 129th Boston Marathon. It was a day of firsts. Kenya's Sharon Lokedi obliterated the record for fastest time among the women's elite runners by nearly three minutes, an astounding feat even to her: 'I didn't even believe it,' she said. The new time to beat is 2:17:22. Also lasts. Des Linden, who in 2018 became the first American to win the marathon in more than 30 years, and in the process to many running fans an honorary Bostonian, announced just before the race that Elite men's winner John Korir finished first despite Advertisement 'For us, two brothers winning Boston, I think we're happy now,' the younger Korir said Monday. For Marcel Hug, the champion wheelchair racer for the third year in a row, it came on the Advertisement American Susannah Scaroni this year became two-time women's wheelchair champion more than two minutes ahead of her Swiss rivals, and six minutes ahead of her first win in Boston in 2023. 'You can call it a miracle,' she said afterward. 'I'm so thankful.' It was not a picture-perfect race for 20-year-old Villanova student Matt Nawn, w ' You don't quit. You keep going. That's how I've always been in life,' Nawn, of Hanover, Pa., said in an interview. He chalked his collapse up to dehydration and is back in good health. He said he is thankful for the hearty cheers he got from the finish-line bleachers, although he was hardly processing them in the moment. 'Thank you to the entire city of Boston,' he said. 'For everyone else who's watched the video, don't give up. Just because something bad happened doesn't mean it's an opportunity to give up. Keep pushing forward. Keep chasing it.' The race had an especially patriotic air, coming amid celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War. In the Colonial spirit for the occasion was Jared Levine, of Sterling, Va., who ran the entire route in 1775-era garb, with tan pants, a vest and blue regimental coat, a pair of gold buckles ornamenting his black Asics running shoes, and a tricorn hat atop a curly white wig — which stayed on the entire route, he said. He planned to make some history of his own: He's vying for the world record for fastest marathon in a Colonial-American costume. Advertisement 'I sent an application to Guinness,' Levine said, referring to the company that validates such feats. 'I have no idea if it fits their guidelines.' Even on years without the revolutionary anniversary, watching the Marathon is a matter of civic duty for Maureen Sanditore, 54, who moved to Boston from Costa Rica as a teenager in 1983 and has embraced Boston traditions wholeheartedly since. 'Nothing gives me more pride than being here,' said Sanditore, who added there are only two days a year she makes sure to take off work: the Boston Marathon and the Fourth of July. 'It's very important for me to be here to support everyone who runs,' Sanditore said, from a viewing spot on Boylston Street. 'People who come from all over the world, people who have disabilities, people running for a cause.' Enjoying his second annual Boston Marathon, presumably, was 5-month-old Knox Brown. Last year he tagged along with his mom, Megan, who ran the race while two-months pregnant. This time, he was waiting for her at the finish line. 'I hope he's a little runner,' Brown said, cradling her son in her arms. It was a day of mixed emotions for many Catholics, who woke up Monday morning to the news that 'I think Pope Francis would be the first one to say, 'Forget about me. Go on with the celebration,'' said Father Jim Croghan, superior of the Advertisement Croghan was at the finish line awaiting the arrival of Father John Predmore, the chaplain for Ignatian Ministries at BC High, who was running his third Marathon after raising $24,000 for the charity 'This is his way of putting into action what Pope Francis was calling the church to do, paying attention to the marginalized, the overlooked, and those on the peripheries,' Croghan said of his colleague. Some of the papal remembrances were less solemn. In Brookline, one spectator waved a sign that read, simply: 'Run for the Pope!' Runners intent on maximizing the joy of race day dressed up in costumes. People playing the roles of Star Wars' Princess Leia, a banana, Celtic Larry Bird, and 'Buddy the Elf,' could all be seen planting one foot in front of the other. Other fans waved signs that brought their wit to the sidelines. One, in a tribute to Taylor Swift, read 'IDK ABOUT U BUT I'M FEELIN 26.2.' On the road, Ken Bereski was easy to spot, as he was covered head to toe in red paint. Across his face, in gold, was drawn a cross, and on his chest, the numbers '150.' It was his 150th marathon, he said. And the colors were a nod to his alma mater, Boston College. 'I was the crazy lunatic at every game,' Bereski said of his college days as a spectator. 'Going past BC is my favorite mile in all of marathoning.' Advertisement Chad Finn, Amin Touri, Christopher Huffaker, and Matt Porter of the Globe staff, and correspondents Emily Spatz and Sarah Mesdjian contributed to this report. Spencer Buell can be reached at
Boston Globe
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Sharon Lokedi wins first Boston Marathon title
Share Kenyan Sharon Lokedi broke the 11-year-old women's course record by more than two minutes to win her first Boston Marathon Monday. In just her sixth major marathon, the 31-year-old ran a 2:17.22 to hold off fellow countrywoman and two-time champion Hellen Obiri for the win. ( Photo: Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe )
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sharon Lokedi breaks Boston Marathon course record. John Korir joins his brother as a Boston winner
BOSTON (AP) — Sharon Lokedi broke the Boston Marathon course record, and fellow Kenyan John Korir joined his brother as a race champion on Monday as the city celebrated the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War. 129th Boston Marathon (live updates): Tens of thousands of runners competing in famed 26.2-mile race Advertisement Lokedi outran two-time defending champion Hellen Obiri over the final mile a year after losing a sprint down Boylston Street to her in one of the closest finishes in race history. Lokedi finished in an unofficial 2 hours, 17 minutes, 22 seconds — 19 seconds ahead of Obiri and more than 2 1/2 minutes faster than the previous Boston best. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 21: Sharon Lokedi of Kenya crosses the finish line to win the 129th Boston Marathon Women's division on April 21, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 21: Sharon Lokedi of Kenya crosses the finish line to win the 129th Boston Marathon Women's division on April 21, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 21: Sharon Lokedi of Kenya crosses the finish line to win the 129th Boston Marathon Women's division on April 21, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 21: Sharon Lokedi of Kenya crosses the finish line to win the 129th Boston Marathon Women's division on April 21, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 21: Sharon Lokedi of Kenya crosses the finish line to win the 129th Boston Marathon Women's division on April 21, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by) Six months after winning Chicago, Korir finished in 2:04:45 — the second-fastest winning time in race history as the runners took advantage of perfect marathon weather to conquer the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston's Copley Square. After crossing the line, Korir was greeted by his older brother, 2012 Boston winner Wesley Korir. Although the race has been won by a pair of unrelated John Kelleys and two different Robert Cheruiyots, the Korirs are the first brothers — or relatives of any kind — to win the world's oldest and most prestigious annual marathon. Advertisement Conner Mantz of Provo, Utah, finished fourth after losing a three-way sprint to the finish with Alphonce Felix Simbu of Tanzania and Cybrian Kotut of Kenya. Simbu was second and Kotut was third. Korir ran without his bib showing, pulling it out of his running tights as he sprinted down Boylston Street. Reenactors on horseback, accompanied by a fife and drum playing 'Yankee Doodle,' helped start the festivities and add a bit of levity when Paul Revere's horse was spooked by the finish line decal on the street and stopped. The actor portraying the colonial silversmith and patriot had to hop off and walk the last few steps himself as the small early crowd laughed and clapped. After reading a proclamation, Revere gently tugged the horse the rest of the way before riding off to more ceremonies commemorating the midnight ride on April 19, 1775, that warned the colonists in Lexington and Concord that the British were on the march. An actor portraying Paul Revere tries to pull his horse, which refused to advance over the line, during a ceremony for the Patriot's Day holiday at the finish prior to the Boston Marathon, Monday, April 21, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Marcel Hug of Switzerland had no such trouble completing the course, zooming into Copley Square in 1:21:34 for his eighth Boston wheelchair title. He beat two-time winner Daniel Romanchuk by more than four minutes in the 50th anniversary of Bob Hall's pioneering push to add a wheelchair division to the race. Advertisement 'It means a lot to win this year, 50 years of wheelchairs in Boston,' Hug said. 'For me, it will take some time to realize what it means, eight times wins. It's such an incredible number.' Susannah Scaroni of the United States won the women's wheelchair race for the second time, finishing in 1:35:20. Her victory guaranteed that the 'Star-Spangled Banner' would play on Boylston Street in Copley Square on Patriots' Day, the state holiday that commemorates the first shots of the Revolutionary War 250 years ago Saturday. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
