• ATHLETICS

• Frank Rotich 22 hrs ago

Kenya’s Lokedi eyes victory in Riga Half Marathon after retaining Boston Marathon crown

Kenya’s long-distance runner Sharon Lokedi will make her first competitive appearance since defending her Boston Marathon title when she competes at the Rimi Riga Half Marathon on Sunday, May 17, in Latvia.

The 32-year-old heads to the European race in high spirits after successfully retaining her Boston Marathon crown last month in an impressive time of 2:18:51. Lokedi is expected to face a strong field as organisers prepare for one of the most competitive editions of the Riga event.

Among her biggest challengers will be defending champion Domenika Mayer, who won last year’s race in 1:09:50, and Ethiopian star Ejgayehu Taye, who boasts a personal best of 1:04:14 in the half marathon.

Lokedi will be competing in her second half marathon of the year after finishing second at the New York Half Marathon in March with a time of 1:07:10. Her personal best over the distance remains the 1:05:00 she clocked at the Copenhagen Half Marathon last year.

The Kenyan last won a half marathon title in May 2025 when she claimed victory at the New York Half Marathon in 1:07:04.

Uganda’s Stella Chesang and Ethiopian runners Diniya Abaraya and Bertukan Welde are also expected to battle for top honours in the women’s race.

In the men’s category, Kenya will be represented by James Kipkosgei, Charles Mbatha, and Robert Kiprop Koech.

The trio will face stiff competition from Tanzanian marathon record holder Gabriel Geay, who has a half marathon personal best of 59:18.

Kipkosgei heads into the race in good form after finishing second at the Rome Half Marathon in March and holds a personal best of 59:31.

Ethiopian athletes Aklilu Gebremariam Asfaw and Dejene Hailu Bikila are also expected to challenge for victory.