Running News Daily

Sharon Lokedi relishing competition from Helen Obiri ahead of New York Marathon showdown

Former New York City Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi is looking to get one over fellow Kenyan Hellen Obiri at the 53rd edition of the New York City Marathon on Sunday November 3.

The 2022 New York City Marathon champion, Sharon Lokedi, is preparing for an intense rematch with fellow Kenyan star Hellen Obiri at the 53rd edition of the marathon, scheduled for Sunday, November 3.

Lokedi, who has grown accustomed to facing off with Obiri on the world stage, embraces the competition that brings out the best in her, particularly as she aims to reclaim the title.

"Honestly, you see her, and it’s like one of those things where we’re competitors, and you can sense the tension,” Lokedi admitted via Citius Mag.

“But we’re all just talking, trying to avoid it, which is pretty funny," she added.

This friendly rivalry between Lokedi and Obiri has become a defining aspect of their careers.

Their last head-to-head battle came at the Paris Olympics, where Lokedi finished fourth with a time of 2:23:14, just four seconds behind Obiri, who claimed bronze in 2:23:10.

That close finish has fuels Lokedi’s determination to turn the tables in New York.

“But I love being with her. She’s a really good competitor, and you know, she wins all the time, but I hope this time it’s going to be different,” Lokedi shared.

“The competition is still very tough, so it’s not going to be easy. It might be something different from what we’ve seen, so we’ll see.”

As Lokedi and Obiri prepare to take on New York’s challenging course, all eyes will be on the rivalry that has become a thrilling storyline in the world of marathon running.

The Kenyan pair’s battle for dominance on Sunday promises to be a spectacle as both athletes push to etch their names into the city’s marathon history.