- Sharon Lokedi defeated the likes of Hellen Obiri and Yalemzerf Yehualaw to win the 2025 Boston Marathon title.
- Two-time Boston Marathon winner Obiri finished second in a personal best time of 2:17.41.
- The 2025 Boston Marathon men’s title also went to a Kenyan with John Korir securing the title in 2:04.45.
Kenyan runner Sharon Lokedi ran a tactical race to escape with the 2025 Boston Marathon title on Monday, April 21.
Lokedi won the 2025 Boston Marathon in a course record time of 2:17.22 ahead of her friend and Kenyan compatriot Hellen Obiri.
Obiri, who won the title in 2023 and 2024, crossed the finishing line in a lifetime best time of 2:17.41, more than 20 seconds in front of Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw.
Lokedi ran shoulder to shoulder with the leading group that had brilliant runners such as Irine Cheptai, Amane Beriso, Yehualaw, Rahma Tusa, Viola Cheptoo and Hellen Obiri. at the early stages of the race.
However, the situation got tough for some of them with five athletes, including Cheptai, Lokedi, Obiri, and Yalemzerf Yehualaw taking control of the race.
Cheptai, who recently switched from track to road races, looked strong as she followed the footsteps of the group leader Yehualaw.
As the proceedings went on, the Cheptai started to fall behind slowly as the quartet of Lokedi, Obiri, Beriso and Obiri turned on the screw.
East Africans battle for 2025 Boston Marathon glory
The four East African athletes kept on exchanging the lead until the the 36km mark when Lokedi decided to go for the title.
With about 3km remaining to the end of the race, the battle was between Obiri, Lokedi and Yehualaw.
The Kenyan duo then dropped Yehualaw at mile 24 as the spectators, who had turned up in large numbers, cheered them on.
Lokedi breaks down Obiri at 2025 Boston Marathon
Obiri tried to overtake Lokedi but the Kapkenda Girls High School alumni reacted instantly and finally managed to drop her.
Lokedi went on to win the race and in the process denied Obiri the chance to become the first woman to win three consecutive Boston Marathon titles since 1999.
The 31-year-old ran straight to her mother and gave her a warm embrace as the two celebrated the victory.
The 2025 Boston Marathon title was Lokedi’s second Abbott World Marathon Majors win after the 2022 New York City Marathon crown.
Top five female finishers in the 2025 Boston Marathon
- Sharon Lokedi: 2:17.22 (Kenya)
- Hellen Obiri: 2:17.41 (Kenya)
- Yalemzerf Yehualaw: 2:18.06 (Ethiopia)
- Irine Cheptai: 2:21.32 (Kenya)
- Amane Beriso: 2:21.58 (Ethiopia)
ALSO READ: Brilliant John Korir wins the 2025 Boston Marathon title in style