Marathon star Sharon Lokedi opens up on struggles of adapting to life in the US
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 02.11.24. | 17:18
The transition from Kenya to the U.S. was particularly daunting following a pause in her running career after finishing high school
Marathon star Sharon Lokedi recently shared her struggles of adapting to life in the United States since her relocation in 2015.
Initially moving to pursue her studies in nursing and business at the University of Kansas, Lokedi faced numerous challenges as she adapted to a new culture and academic environment that forced her to make significant adjustments in her daily life.
During her time at Kansas, she not only excelled academically but also made her mark in athletics, competing in track and cross country from 2015 to 2019. Her impressive achievements include being a 10-time All-American and winning the 10,000m NCAA title in 2018.
“I had to learn everything, from speaking American English to using a computer, among other things,” she said per Olympics.com.
The transition from Kenya to the U.S. was particularly daunting following a pause in her running career after finishing high school. It was her mother’s encouragement to return to the sport that reignited Lokedi’s passion and opened the door to scholarship opportunities.
“Just the thought of that made me think, ‘Maybe, if I do that, it would change my life, it would change the life of our family,’” she recalled.
Looking back, Lokedi expresses gratitude for the decisions that led her to where she is today.
“I am glad I made that decision. Where we are right now, I never thought I would be here. It was a different environment,” she reflected.
Lokedi is one of the elite athletes who will line up for the 2024 New York Marathon slated for Sunday 3 November.
She returns to the course of her marathon debut, eyeing a podium finish after just missing a medal following her fourth-place finish at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 2022 New York Marathon winner came in third in the Big Apple last year before finishing as the runner-up at the 2024 Boston Marathon, a result that earned her a reserve slot in Kenya’s Olympic team.
Her dream came true when she was confirmed to replace Olympic silver medalist Brigid Kosgei, who withdrew due to injury concerns.
The 2024 Boston Marathon runner-up finished fourth in a personal best of 2:23:14 in what was also just her fourth marathon.
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