Kenyans Sharon Lokedi and John Korir will be aiming to etch their names further into athletics history this evening as they attempt to defend their titles at the 130th edition of the Boston Marathon.
The duo, who spearheaded a dominant Kenyan sweep on the streets of Massachusetts last year, return to the Hopkinton start line facing what race organizers have described as the most competitive elite field ever assembled for the world’s oldest annual marathon.
Lokedi is looking at securing a consecutive victory and protecting the blistering 2:17:22 course record she set twelve months ago. However, the path to the finish line on Boylston Street is crowded with elite talent.
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Lokedi will face steep competition from fellow Kenyan and World Cross Country star Irine Cheptai, who holds the fastest personal best in the women’s field at 2:17:51.
The challenge is further bolstered by the inclusion of Loice Chemnung, who recently impressed with a strong fourth-place finish in Chicago.
From the Ethiopian camp, Workenesh Edesa and Bedatu Hirpa are tipped as the primary threats to Kenyan dominance, while local fans will be rooting for American record holder Emily Sisson and rising star Fiona O’Keeffe.
On the men’s side, John Korir enters the race in the form of his life having won his last three major marathons,including Chicago and Valencia.
Korir is widely considered the man to beat.
He goes head-to-head with the fastest man in the field, Benson Kipruto. Kipruto, the 2021 champion Olympic bronze medalist, is looking to regain his crown after a win in New York last November.
The battle is further complicated by the presence of reigning World Champion Alphonce Simbu of Tanzania and last year’s third-place finisher Cybrian Kotut.
International threats also include Olympic Silver medalist Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands and Ethiopian powerhouse Hailemaryam Kiros.
Should Lokedi and Korir succeed, they will become the first Kenyan pair to successfully defend their Boston titles simultaneously.