Lokedi, Jepkosgei among Kenyans headlining Boston Marathon field

Two-time Boston Marathon winner Edna Kiplagat, 2021 London Marathon champion Joyciline Jepkosgei and 2022 New York Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi will clash at this year’s Boston Marathon.

The three are part of a women’s field of great depth announced for the marathon, a set for 17 April. Nine of the entered athletes have personal bests (PBs) under 2:20, while 16 have dipped under 2:21.

In a field that has Ethiopia’s Amane Beriso, who ran the third fastest time in history, 2:14:58, to win the Valencia Marathon in December as the fastest on paper, the Kenyan contingent has eleven runners set to compete.

Valencia Marathon bronze medalist Sheila Chepkirui who clocked 2:17.29 on her debut in the classic distance is the fastest of the 11 Kenyans on the field and second after Beriso on the list. 

Jepkosgei, winner of the 2019 New York City and 2021 London Marathons who holds a personal best time of 2:17.43 is the third fastest athlete on paper.

Ababel Yeshaneh of Ethiopia and Mary Ngugi finished second and third, respectively, in Boston last year and return with hopes of claiming the top spot on the podium.

Obiri set for second marathon in Tokyo or London

“Running Boston last year was an incredible experience and I will never forget the crowd cheering down Boylston Street as I ran towards the finish line in an epic finish,” said Yeshaneh, who finished four seconds behind winner Peres Jepchirchir. “I can’t wait to return to race and hope to win that title that I lost by a few meters.”

Kenyan-born Israeli Lonah Salpeter earned marathon bronze at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon and then placed second at the New York City Marathon last year and will be looking to build on that momentum with another podium finish in a major marathon.

Being among those making a Boston Marathon debut, she said; “It has always been my dream to run these streets one day and to experience the incredible atmosphere. For now, I am focused on my preparation and I look forward to seeing all the fans along the course in Boston.”

Additional international standouts making their Boston Marathon debuts are Chepkirui and Ethiopia’s Hiwot Gebremaryam, runner-up in Berlin in 2021.

Reigning world champion Gotytom Gebreslase as well as former Boston Marathon champions Des Linden (2018) and Atsede Baysa (2016) will also be in action.

Elite women’s field

Amane Beriso (ETH) 2:14:58

Sheila Chepkirui (KEN) 2:17:29

Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 2:17:43

Lonah Salpeter (ISR) 2:17:45

Angela Tanui (KEN) 2:17:57

Fancy Chemutai (KEN) 2:18:11

Gotytom Gebreslase (ETH) 2:18:11

Hiwot Gebremaryam (ETH) 2:19:10

Edna Kiplagat (KEN) 2:19:50

Celestine Chepchirchir (KEN) 2:20:10

Maurine Chepkemoi (KEN) 2:20:18

Mary Ngugi (KEN) 2:20:22

Nazret Weldu Gebrehiwet (ERI) 2:20:29

Sara Hall (USA) 2:20:32

Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) 2:20:51

Vibian Chepkirui (KEN) 2:20:59

Atsede Baysa (ETH) 2:22:03

Desiree Linden (USA) 2:22:38

Viola Cheptoo (KEN) 2:22:44

Nienke Brinkman (NED) 2:22:51

Emma Bates (USA) 2:23:18

Sharon Lokedi (KEN) 2:23:23

Dakotah Lindwurm (USA) 2:25:01

Jessica Stenson (AUS) 2:25:15

Laura Thweatt (USA) 2:25:38

Nell Rojas (USA) 2:25:57

Annie Frisbie (USA) 2:26:18

Sara Vaughn (USA) 2:26:23

Haruka Yamaguchi (JPN) 2:26:35

Aliphine Tuliamuk (USA) 2:26:50

Maggie Montoya (USA) 2:28:07

Hanna Lindholm (SWE) 2:28:59

Maegan Krifchin (USA) 2:29:12

Militsa Mircheva (BUL) 2:29:23