NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 6 – In the absence of defending champion Peres Jepchirchir, debutant Sharon Lokedi ensured the honors remained with Kenya as she stormed to the New York Marathon victory in a time of 2:23:23.
Lokedi stepped down in the final 4km of the race, wading away from Kenyan-turned Israeli Lornah Salpeter to clinch the title on her first ever Marathon.
The 28-year old Lokedi is based in the United States, where she runs for the University of Kansas.
“I am really excited I did it here. The course was amazing, the people were amazing and I am really excited to have won for the first time ever,” Lokedi said after her win, struggling to hider her excitement.
What a debut 👀@shazrinee 🇰🇪 wins the @nycmarathon in 2:23:23 👏
pic.twitter.com/trqCBy1h6h— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) November 6, 2022
World Champion Gotytom Gebreslase was third in 2:23:39. The experienced Edna Kiplagat was fourth (2:24:16) while Viola Lagat who was second last year was fifth in 2:25:34.
Another debutant, Hellen Obiri, finished sixth, clocking 2:25:49 in her first ever Marathon.
Up until the Half Marathon point, the leading group in the women’s race was still huge. They went through 15km in 51:23, with Obiri, Salpeter and Viola Lagat sitting pretty at the apex.
They did the next 5km in 17:06, still maintaining a steady pace. At the Half Marathon point, the leading Kenyans looking comfortable, Obiri leading them through the mark in 1:12:17.
After 25km, the leading group began to shed off and now, there were only eight women left. They went through the 27km mark in 1:25:47.
At the 30km mark, the wheat began to separate from the chaff. Obiri, Lagat and Gotytom pushed away, showing intent to start going for the kill with 12km left on the clock.
But they could only go for so long as Salpeter and Lokedi caught up with them again and having reserved some strength, they decided to hit it off.
The two began to step away from the rest and Obiri was the first to be dropped off the scorching finishing pace that started off with 10km left.
With five to go, Lokedi began to pull away from Salpeter and she didn’t look back, with the emotions on her face showing determination to go for the kill, and sure she did.
