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The 30-year-old who relocated to the United States in 2015, has been a pro runner since 2021.
Sharon Lokedi has revealed how winning the 2022 New York Marathon on her debut became the turning point in her life.
The 30-year-old, who relocated to the United States in 2015, has been a pro runner since 2021. Lokedi outclassed a stellar women’s field, which included Olympic medalist Hellen Obiri and world champion Gotytom Gebreslase, to win the 2022 New York race in her first time.
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10:45 - 30.10.2024
'I'm glad I made that decision' - Sharon Lokedi on why relocating to the US was the masterstroke in her career
Former New York City marathon champion Sharon Lokedi spent most of last season plotting for her biggest test yet, running the Olympic marathon course
“It was very life-changing,” she said of her career highlight. Her first race as a pro was back in 2019, taking the Carlsbad 5K title in California in 15:38. Lokedi became focussed fully on the roads after her failed attempt to make the 10,000m Team Kenya for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The naturally gifted runner returned to the Big Apple last year for her title defence, where she lined up alongside her husband Edward Cheserek, a17-time NCAA champion, who had also picked the New York course for his marathon debut. Her third-place finish left her yearning for another significant run.
Lokedi, who trains in Flagstaff with coaches Stephen Haas and Pat Casey, chose Boston, fully aware that it could be her pathway to Paris 2024. She was disappointed after she was named a reserve for Team Kenya to the Paris Games. But when injury locked out Brigid Kosgei just weeks before the Games started, her dream came true.
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07:57 - 15.08.2024
'We fought for the gold'- Sharon Lokedi lauds women's marathon team for their efforts at Paris Olympics
Despite missing out on the gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games, Sharon Lokedi has lauded Peres Jepchirchir and Hellen Obiri for their efforts in the women's marathon.
The 2024 Boston Marathon runner-up finished fourth in a personal best of 2:23:14 in at the Olympics, in what was also just her fourth marathon. “I am very proud of it,” she said of her race, staged on what has been described as one of the toughest Olympic marathon terrains, according to Olympics.com.
"Honestly, I saw myself being in the top three all the way through. I knew the last few kilometres were going to be tough. I just wanted to fight as much as I could and be in the top group all the way close to the end. Towards the end, it’s unfortunate there were still four of us.”
“I will cherish this moment and use this hard-earned Olympian title I acquired to the fullest,” she added. Lokedi still has plenty more she hopes to achieve. After recovering from an injury that hampered her last year, she plans to use her energy and new confidence to keep going. Her eyes are fully trained on the 2024 New York City Marathon slated for November 3, 2024.
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