Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi will head back to defend her toitle at the 51st edition of the TCS New York City Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Race and a World Marathon Major competition slated for November 5, in New York.
Lokedi will have to get past the reigning Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri, Olympic gold medalist and 2021 New York champion Peres Jepchirchir, and World Marathon Record holder Brigid Kosgei.
This will be the first time in the history of the event that the reigning Boston Marathon, Olympic champion, world-record holder and defending New York champion will race against each other in this race.
“I’m really excited as they are my friends, it only makes the competition more fun when it’s that stacked. I’m excited to compare myself with all those women,” said Lokedi.
Lokedi won her marathon debut last year, pulling away in the final two miles to finish in 2:23.23. She became the eighth athlete to win the race in their true 26.2-mile debut. She’s been dealing with an injury for most of the year that forced her to withdraw from the Boston Marathon in April.
Obiri is a double Olympic silver medalist in 5000m and a seven-time world championships individual medalist who earlier this year won the Boston Marathon in her second-ever attempt at the distance.
“With a year of marathon experience now under my belt, a win in Boston, and my move to the US I’m coming to New York this year with more confidence and in search of a title,” said Obiri.
Jepchirchir is the only athlete to have won the Olympic marathon, TCS New York City Marathon, and Boston Marathon. She is also a two-time world championships gold medalist in the half marathon.
“I was so disappointed that I couldn’t defend my title in New York last year due to an injury, and winning again in Central Park has been my main motivation as I begin my preparations for the autumn,”
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