Obiri kickstarted her season with wins at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon (1:05:05) and New York City Half Marathon (1:07:21).
Two-time world 5000m champion Hellen Obiri has revealed that she chose to run the Boston Marathon to gain more experience over the 42km distance.
Obiri debuted in the marathon during last year’s New York City Marathon where she settled for sixth place in 2:25:49. The Boston Marathon will mark her second competition over the distance.
21:54 - 23.03.2023
ATHLETICS Obiri sets sights on New York City Marathon after disappointing 2022 debut
During last year's edition where she was debuting, Obiri settled for sixth place.
She recounted her debut as a tough race considering she was not aware of the areas that needed to be worked on.
“I just want to get more experience about the marathon…the field has attracted very strong ladies and I want to learn from them. I have trained well for the race and I can say I’m 90% ready,” she said.
The Boston Marathon course is a hilly one with some obstacles but the 2019 World Cross-country champion is not confident that her prowess over the cross-country will be of help at the event.
16:30 - 19.03.2023
ATHLETICS Hellen Obiri wins New York City Half Marathon in course record time
Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo won the men's race.
“I can’t say it’s a good course…I have trained with the fact that it has a lot of hills. I can just say I am ready,” she said.
The field has attracted some of the best female athletes including Joycilline Jepkosgei, the 2021 London Marathon champion, who lines up as the third-fastest in the field with a personal best time of 2:17:43.
08:34 - 13.04.2023
ATHLETICS Two-time world champion Edna Kiplagat banking on experience ahead of Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is scheduled for next Monday, April 17.
Ethiopian duo of Amane Beriso and Gotytom Gebreslase will also be looking to shine when they line up for the race. Beriso is the fastest in the field, will be keen to replicate last year’s Valencia Marathon’s performance where she won in a new course record time of 2:14:58.
Kenyan-Israeli runner Lonah Salpeter will also be in the mix. of Ethiopia is also a force to reckon with. Gebreslase is the world champion and has a personal best time of 2:18:11.
11:55 - 18.02.2023
ATHLETICS Hellen Obiri and Bernard Kibet claim top honours at Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon
Other Kenyans in the women's race were Evaline Chirchir and Agnes Ngolo who settled for fifth and seventh places in respective times of 1:07:15 and 1:08:03.
However, Obiri is also bullish that she can also pull off a surprise when she lines up. “They are very strong ladies as compared to me but I also believe I am the best,” she said.
Obiri kickstarted her season with wins at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon (1:05:05) and New York City Half Marathon (1:07:21).