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Defending champion Hellen Obiri has explained why she chose to make a return to the Boston Marathon as she gears up for the Olympic Games.
Reigning New York City Marathon champion Hellen Obiri is one of the athletes who has been confirmed for the 2024 edition of the race scheduled for Monday, April 15.
Obiri will be seeking to defend her title and she has expressed her eagerness towards making a grand return to the marathon that was her second in her marathon running career.
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She disclosed why she chose to return to the streets of Boston as she gears up for the Olympic Games scheduled for Friday, July 26 to Sunday, August 11 in Paris, France.
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Speaking to the race organisers about her return to Boston, Obiri said: “I am excited to return to the 2024 Boston Marathon to try to defend my title.
“Boston is an historic race and I would like to add my name further to its history on April 15. Winning such a historic marathon with my family waiting at the finish line was an amazing experience.”
During last year’s edition of the race, Obiri cut the tape in 2:21:38 and faces a stern test as she gears up for her title defense.
She will be up against a pool of Ethiopians with lifetime bests under 2:18:00. Headlining the Ethiopians will be Worknesh Degefa, the 2019 Boston Marathon champion, who will be making a return while marathoner Tadu Teshome will make her Boston debut.
Hiwot Gebremaryam will be looking to improve upon her eighth-place finish last year while the World championships medalist Senbere Teferi will also be in the mix.
Experienced marathoner Ababel Yeshaneh –second in 2022 and fourth in 2023— will try to become the seventh woman from Ethiopia to win the olive wreath in Boston.
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A number of Kenyan athletes will jostle with the large field for a share of the spoils.
Former World Marathon silver medalist Judith Korir, two-time Boston Marathon winner Edna Kiplagat, four-time top-ten finisher Mary Ngugi-Cooper, and 2022 TCS New York City Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi will also be in the mix.
Helah Kiprop, who holds a silver medal in the marathon from the 2015 World Athletics Championships and has earned wins in Tokyo, Copenhagen, and Paris, makes her second career Boston start. From Morocco is 2023 World Athletics Championships Marathon bronze medalist Fatima Gardadi.
Desiree Linden leads the American contingent six years after winning the 2018 title. Linden has finished in the top-five five times and holds the third fastest time by an American ever on the Hopkinton-to-Boston route (2:22:38).
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