Lokedi returns to Boston for 10K showdown with Chepkirui

Boston Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi will be back on the streets of Boston this Sunday, chasing redemption in the Boston 10K after finishing fifth at the New York Mini 10K earlier this month.

Lokedi, who set a course record to win the Boston Marathon in April, clocking 2:17:22, taking two minutes and 37 seconds off the course record that had stood for 11 year will face stiff competition from fellow Kenyan and New York City Marathon champion Sheila Chepkirui.

“Winning the Boston Marathon is a highlight of my career so far,” said Lokedi. This will be her second Boston 10K start.

“I’m excited to return to Boston to race the 10K and relive the same feeling from the marathon.”

Chepkirui comes in with strong form, having clocked 2:20:40 to win the Nagoya Women’s Marathon in March.

She also claimed the women’s 10,000m title at the KDF Championships last week in Nairobi, edging former London marathon champion Joyciline Jepkosgei in a thrilling sprint finish, 33:33.7 to 33:34.5.

Also lining up is the evergreen two-time Boston Marathon champion Edna Kiplagat, 2017 winner Joan Melly, and a strong Kenyan cast including Jesca Chelangat, Stacy Ndiwa, Gladys Kwamboka and the resurgent Mercy Cherono.

Cherono, a former Commonwealth Games champion, placed fifth in the 5000m at the 2025 Kip Keino Classic, running a season best 15:28.87. That race was won by Uganda’s Sarah Chelangat in 15:03.33, with Kenya’s Maurine Chebor (15:14.57) and Ethiopia’s Gemene Mamite (15:21.25) completing the podium.

In early May, Cherono also claimed victory at the final AK Weekend Meet, clocking 15:45.50 in the women’s 5000m.

Ethiopia’s defending champion Melknat Wudu will be back to defend her crown, joined by compatriot Senayet Getachew, third in last year’s edition.