Sharon Lokedi defended her Boston Marathon title on April 20, 2026, crossing the finish line in 2:18:51 to claim back to back victories at one of the sport’s most demanding courses. The result makes her one of a rare group of women to successfully defend the Boston title, and extends Under Armour’s winning streak at the race to two consecutive years.
A controlled race to the crown
Lokedi ran as part of a ten woman lead pack through the early miles before making a decisive move at mile 21. She cleared Heartbreak Hill with authority and ran the final three miles alone, finishing ahead of Loice Chemnung (2:19:35) and Mary Ngugi Cooper (2:20:07) in an all Kenyan top three.
What she ran in
For her title defense, Lokedi again wore the Under Armour Velociti Elite 3, this time in an exclusive pink colorway developed in direct collaboration with Under Armour’s product team. The shoe is engineered to absorb early downhill impact on Boston’s course while maintaining responsiveness deep into the race. She paired it with the Women’s Pro Runner Crop Top, made with Under Armour’s HeatGear fabric.
Three majors, one consistent partner
Lokedi’s Boston repeat sits alongside her 2022 New York City Marathon win, where she became the first athlete to win an Abbott World Marathon Major in Under Armour footwear, and her 2025 Boston course record of 2:17:22, which she set wearing an early version of the Velociti Elite 3. Her 2026 time of 2:18:51 is the fourth fastest in Boston women’s race history.
Kevin Plank, Under Armour Founder and CEO, said, “Back to back wins in Boston speaks to a rare level of excellence. Watching Sharon conquer the race for a second straight year in the Velociti Elite 3 reinforces what’s possible when athlete insight and innovation come together.”
Under Armour’s running credibility
Back to back Boston wins strengthen Under Armour’s positioning in elite distance running at a time when Nike, Adidas, and Asics dominate the performance running landscape. For a brand that won its first World Marathon Major only in 2022, two consecutive Boston victories, both in the Velociti Elite 3, give its running footwear line a credibility that is difficult to manufacture outside of race results.
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