Obiri, Kipruto among stars confirmed for Boston 10K race

ATHLETICS Obiri, Kipruto among stars confirmed for Boston 10K race

Abigael Wafula 05:50 - 27.05.2023

The Boston Marathon champion will be hoping to extend her winning streak while Chicago Marathon winner Kipruto eyes further glory

The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has announced the stellar cast for the 2023 B.A.A. 10K scheduled for June 25.

The men’s race has attracted some of the greatest athletes including the reigning Chicago Marathon champion Benson Kipruto as well as defending champion Leonard Korir.

Korir, the reigning B.A.A. 10K champion, is fresh off a win at the USA 25K National Championships in May, and looks to become the fourth man to win back-to-back B.A.A. 10Ks.

On his part, Kipruto poses as a threat to Korir’s chances of retaining the title. The 32-year-old finished third at the Boston Marathon in April and he will definitely be looking to improve on his performance.

Also, in the mix will be Gabriel Geay of Tanzania who will be returning after a runner-up finish at April’s Boston Marathon. He had also previously won the B.A.A. 10K in 2018. Decorated road racers Edward Cheserek of Kenya and Zouhair Talbi of Morocco will also be fighting for top honours.

Geoffrey Koech, winner of last year’s Boston Half Marathon, will also be competing, as will Callum Hawkins of Great Britain, twice the fourth-place finisher at the World Championships marathon.

In the women’s race, Hellen Obiri, a two-time Olympic silver medallist, will be returning to the roads hoping to extend her winning streak. She won the Boston Marathon in April and since the season started, she has not lost any race.

Her 30:15 personal best at 10K is fourth fastest among the field, only trailing Sheila Chepkirui (29:46), Vicoty Chepngeno (30:14), and Joan Chelimo Melly of Romania (30:14).

Chelimo won the B.A.A. 10K in 2017, while Chepkirui placed fourth at last month’s London Marathon.

Emily Sisson, the current American record holder in the marathon and half marathon also will return, joined by Olympic Marathon bronze medallist and former Boston resident Molly Seidel.

Edna Kiplagat, Caroline Rotich and Mary Ngugi will also be in the mix with the hope of a podium finish. Ngugi is a two-time B.A.A. 10K winner and two-time Boston Marathon podium finisher and she will be aiming for title number three.

Fellow Kenyan Sharon Lokedi, the 2022 New York City Marathon champion, will be looking for her first B.A.A. event victory.