Lokedi, Beriso and Kiplagat star in deep Boston Marathon women's field

Sharon Lokedi, Amane Beriso and Edna Kiplagat feature in a women’s field of great depth announced for the Boston Marathon, a World Athletics Elite Platinum Label road race, on 17 April.

Nine of the entered athletes have PBs under 2:20, while 16 have dipped under 2:21. Among them are Kenya’s two-time Boston Marathon winner Kiplagat and Ethiopia’s Beriso, who ran the third fastest time in history – 2:14:58 – to win the Valencia Marathon in December, while Kenya’s Lokedi won in New York last year when making her marathon debut.

Ababel Yeshaneh of Ethiopia and Mary Ngugi of Kenya finished second and third, respectively, in Boston last year and return with hopes of claiming the top spot on the podium. Also back is Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei, winner of the 2019 New York City and 2021 London marathons.

“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 metres.”

Israel’s Lonah Salpeter earned marathon bronze at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 and then placed second at the New York City Marathon last year.

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 Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya, who ran 2:17:29 for third place in Valencia, and Ethiopia’s Hiwot Gebremaryam, runner-up in Berlin in 2021.

Among the US contingent are Sara Hall, Aliphine Tuliamuk, Emma Bates, Nell Rojas, Dakotah Lindwurm, Laura Thweatt, Annie Frisbie, Sara Vaughn and Erika Kemp. Hall and Bates finished fifth and seventh, respectively, in the marathon at last year’s World Athletics Championships.

Previously announced as competing in Boston this year are reigning world champion Gotytom Gebreslase as well as former Boston Marathon champions Des Linden (2018), Edna Kiplagat (2017 and 2021) and Atsede Baysa (2016). 

Organisers for World Athletics

Elite 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