The 2025 Boston Marathon experienced its own historical moment when Sharon Lokedi won the race to set an eternal record. The world watched as Lokedi shattered the records and ran a staggering race to win by erasing more than two minutes from the women’s course best time. One year after Hellen Obiri denied her the win at the Boston Marathon, Lokedi took back her lost victory by defeating the defending champion and three-time Olympic medalist by nineteen seconds.
But this wasn’t just about redemption or records. As she crossed the finish line on Boylston Street, Lokedi ran straight into the arms of her mother, sealing the moment with something far deeper than victory. “Thank you, Boston,” Lokedi said. “It was awesome out there. I loved every minute of it.” The competition between historical legacies and rising expectations let Lokedi demonstrate her quietly determined approach, along with her emotional stability, to reach greatness beyond velocity.
Meet Sharon Lokedi: The rising star
The announcement posted by Track & Field Gazette on X declared, “Sharon Lokedi wins the Boston Marathon!!” Underneath the victory celebration lay an extraordinary race plan. The 2:17:22 finish time Lokedi achieved not only secured her victory but established a new course record that stayed unchallenged by more than two minutes while defending herself against Olympic competitor Hellen Obiri in the runner-up position. And the podium of the Boston Marathon competition included Ethiopian runner Yalemzerf Yehualaw, who finished behind Lokedi in 2:18:06.
Sharon Lokedi wins the Boston Marathon!!
She finished in a time of 2:17:22, taking over 2 minutes off the course record set by Buzunesh Deba in 2014.
She beat Hellen Obiri who ran 2:17:41, best marathon ever in 2nd, while 3rd went to Yalemzerf Yehualaw in 2:18:06.
— Track & Field Gazette (@TrackGazette) April 21, 2025
Lokedi won the race by breaking the established course record with a finish that outpaced the 2014 mark by over two and a half minutes. The Kenyan runner dominated the podium in what became a fast and tight race among the elite runners as she finished before Hellen and Yalemzerf in one of Boston history’s fastest women’s races. Lokedi dominated the race with such outstanding results that it became a historic achievement.
A sensational finish points to a story about never giving up, combined with strong emotions and clear objectives. Running has created a total transformation in Sharon Lokedi’s life and now acts as her survival tool that raises the spirits of family members and establishes a new path for her future. Each step she takes now serves a meaningful purpose, while her movements receive power from those whom she advocates for. By running more races, Lokedi demonstrates her ability to transform potential into forceful power that makes her a champion who guides future distance legends.
Sharon Lokedi’s achievements and career highlights
Sharon Lokedi’s mother, Rose Lokedi, remains the sole inspiration that guides her through every step of her journey. The driving force behind her ongoing success turns out to be her mother, according to Lokedi, who powered her leaps forward and deepened her belief. “During that race, I just kept thinking about my mom. She has been the rock of our family, and I just wanted to make her proud,” Lokedi shared. That emotional anchor became her competitive edge, fueling a performance that shattered records and etched her name into history.
Lokedi achieved name recognition in marathon sport after a slow build leading to an explosive surge in fame. The inaugural marathon victory of her career happened when Lokedi won the 2022 New York City Marathon at age 31 as her first-ever World Marathon Majors championship. Sharon Lokedi spent many years building towards her success before winning her inaugural World Marathon Major at New York City. During her time at the University of Kansas, Lokedi set a sixth-place record for 5,000-meter time, which confirmed her future success. Her historic victory at the 2025 Boston Marathon brought more than just a championship trophy.
The Kenyan trailblazer made history at the Boston Marathon 2025
In one of the most thrilling finishes in Boston Marathon history, Sharon Lokedi cemented her legacy by not only winning the women’s race but also doing it in record-breaking fashion. Her stunning run shattered the previous course record, marking a powerful leap forward from her runner-up finish in 2024. This time, the narrative flipped. Lokedi outpaced two-time champion Hellen in a heated battle to the line, fueled by sheer willpower and years of chasing greatness. “Today I was like, no way, I have to just put it all out there and fight to the end and see how it goes,” she said.
This moment wasn’t just about numbers or medals. It was the culmination of years of hard work, setbacks, and the unwavering belief of those who stood by her. After her breakthrough win at the 2022 New York City Marathon, Lokedi revealed how deeply that support has shaped her path. Her journey is a reflection of the unwavering love and belief from those around her, turning community support into championship fuel. That love hasn’t wavered. Through every stride Lokedi takes, she represents her community to show that someone becomes a champion through relationships and resilience that support their progress.
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