Sharon Lokedi will defend her girls’s New York Metropolis Marathon title on November 5 with fellow Kenyans Hellen Obiri, Peres Jepchirchir and world record-holder Brigid Kosgei among the many opposition.
Lokedi gained final 12 months’s race in 2:23:23 on her marathon debut, whereas Obiri took victory within the Boston Marathon this 12 months, Jepchirchir is the reigning Olympic and 2021 New York Metropolis champion and Kosgei is the quickest on paper with 2:14:04.
It would be the first time in occasion historical past the reigning TCS New York Metropolis Marathon champion, Boston Marathon champion, Olympic champion, and world-record holder line up in opposition to one another on this race.
“Final 12 months, I got here into the TCS New York Metropolis Marathon with the aim of being within the thick of the race, and the consequence was higher than I may have ever hoped for,” Lokedi mentioned. “This 12 months, I’m returning with a unique mindset, hungry to defend my title and race in opposition to the quickest girls on this planet.”
Hellen Obiri (NYRR)
Obiri is a two-time Olympic medalist and seven-time world championships particular person medalist who earlier this 12 months gained the Boston Marathon in her second-ever try on the distance.
“With a 12 months of marathon expertise now beneath my belt, a win in Boston, and my transfer to the US I’m coming to New York this 12 months with extra confidence and searching for a title,” Obiri mentioned.
Jepchirchir is the one athlete to have gained the Olympic marathon, TCS New York Metropolis Marathon, and Boston Marathon. She can also be a two-time world championships gold medalist within the half marathon.
Peres Jepchirchir (Getty)
“I used to be so upset that I couldn’t defend my title in New York final 12 months as a consequence of an harm, and successful once more in Central Park has been my primary motivation as I start my preparations for the autumn,” Jepchirchir mentioned. “New York is a vital step in defending my Olympic gold medal subsequent summer season in Paris, and I’ll do my greatest to make my household and my nation proud.”
Kosgei is making her TCS New York Metropolis Marathon debut and mentioned: “I’m very excited to make my New York Metropolis debut this fall, and try and win my fourth totally different Main. I’m not apprehensive concerning the course, as I’ve had success in hilly marathons earlier than, however New York has at all times been about head-to-head competitors, and I do know I should be in the very best form to compete with the opposite girls within the race.”
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