Sharon Lokedi Bets on Exclusive UA Shoe to Repeat Boston Marathon Win

The Kenyan runner collaborated with Under Armour on a hot pink colorway of the Velociti Elite 3 for her title defense.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:09pm

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An abstract expressionist painting featuring rapid, energetic brushstrokes in neon shades of pink, blue, and yellow, capturing the dynamic motion and raw power of a runner racing through the streets.Lokedi's bold shoe choice aims to power her to a second straight Boston Marathon title.Boston Today

Under Armour athlete Sharon Lokedi will be wearing her own exclusive UA Velociti Elite 3 running shoe in a bold hot pink colorway as she looks to repeat as the Boston Marathon champion on Monday. Lokedi, who won last year's race in a record time of 2:17:22, worked closely with the UA product team on the design of the shoe, which will be available in limited supply at a local retailer.

Why it matters

Lokedi's repeat victory would cement her status as one of the top marathon runners in the world, and the exclusive shoe colorway is part of UA's strategy to build deeper connections with elite athletes through personalized product collaborations.

The details

The Velociti Elite 3 is the same shoe Lokedi wore to win the 2025 Boston Marathon, and it features a durable rubber outsole for race-day traction without added weight. Lokedi also placed second in the 2025 New York City Marathon while wearing the Velociti Elite 3. The hot pink colorway was designed in close collaboration with Lokedi to match her 'confidence, energy, and performance needs' on race day.

  • Lokedi won the 2025 Boston Marathon with a time of 2:17:22.
  • Lokedi placed second in the 2025 New York City Marathon.
  • The exclusive Velociti Elite 3 colorway will be available for purchase at Dick's House of Sport on Boylston St. beginning on Saturday, April 19, 2026.

The players

Sharon Lokedi

A Kenyan runner and Under Armour athlete who is the defending champion of the Boston Marathon.

Under Armour

The sports apparel and equipment company that collaborated with Lokedi on an exclusive colorway of the Velociti Elite 3 running shoe.

Jonathan Hutnyan

The senior product line manager of performance run footwear at Under Armour.

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What they’re saying

“In dreaming up my return to Boston, the Under Armour team opened the door to my thoughts on shoe design. Being part of the process from start to finish on the Velociti Elite 3, from the testing to the color, was so fun! With our uniforms being a bit more subtle, I wanted pops of color on my feet. I cannot wait to race in them on Monday.”

— Sharon Lokedi

“From the start, this colorway was about designing with Sharon, not just for her. She has such a clear sense of how she wants to feel on race day, and our role was to translate that into something that matches her confidence, energy, and performance needs. Knowing she'll race Boston in this color way, and that it's the same platform she's already made history in, makes it incredibly meaningful for our team.”

— Jonathan Hutnyan, Senior Product Line Manager of Performance Run Footwear, Under Armour

What’s next

The exclusive hot pink colorway of the Velociti Elite 3 will be available for purchase at Dick's House of Sport on Boylston St. in Boston starting on Saturday, April 19, 2026, two days before the Boston Marathon.

The takeaway

Sharon Lokedi's collaboration with Under Armour on an exclusive shoe colorway for her Boston Marathon title defense highlights the growing trend of elite athletes working closely with brands to create personalized products that reflect their individual style and performance needs. This type of athlete-brand partnership can help drive deeper connections with consumers and boost brand loyalty.