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Lokedi, Obiri to renew rivalry in New York next month
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 30.05.26. | 07:16
The duo will be joined by 10k world record-holder Agnes Ngetich, who will make her debut at the event
Kenyan runners Sharon Lokedi and Hellen Obiri will renew their friendly fire when they face off at the 2026 Mastercard New York Mini 10K, scheduled for Saturday, 6 June in Central Park.
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The duo, who have treated fans to some of the best road race finishes in the past years, will collide for the third time in the 10 kilometer event, headlining the American competition that will be entering its 54th edition this year.
Obiri and Lokedi last crossed paths at the same city in March this year, during the 2026 New York City Half Marathon.
Then, Obiri got the better of Lokedi, winning the race in a time of 1:06.33. The latter would end up finishing seconds later in second, clocking 1:07.10.
In the 10 kilometer event, this year’s race will be their first to face off since their dust up in New York in 2025, when the winner, Obiri, again finished ahead of Lokedi, who was fifth.
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“I am looking forward to returning to Central Park after setting a course record at the TCS New York City Marathon, and winning the Mastercard New York Mini 10K last year,” defending champion Obiri told the race organizers this week. “I am excited to take on this challenge among a competitive group of women athletes, and the 10,000 women who will be inspiring and motivating each other on the course.”
To add to the two stars, another Kenyan runner, Agnes Jebet Ng’etich, will also line up for the race, which will be already her fifth this year.
The world 10 kilometer record holder, and first woman to break 29 minutes, will make her first appearance at the New York Mini 10K, following onto her other New York Road Runners debut in March, at the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon.
Olympian Viola Cheptoo, will meanwhile return for her fourth appearance at the event, headlining a strong Kenyan field that will look to fend off notable opposition including: Ethiopia’s Tsigie Gebreselama, and two-time European Cross Country Championships gold medalist Fionnuala McCormack.