- Obiri will be running her second carfeer marathon
- She made her debut in New York
- She comes to the race after two Half Marathon wins
Double world 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri will make her debut at the Boston Marathon on Monday, and she says she is excited in what will be her second ever competition over the 42km distance.
Obiri, who transited from track to road running last year, made her debut at the New York Marathon where she finished sixth. She timed 2:25:49 and will be keen to make an improvement of that time, when she tackles the tough Boston course.
“It is a great opportunity for sure and I am really excited for this. I have been training well and I feel that my body is in good condition. This is my second marathon and definitely, I will look to do better because I have learnt a few things and I feel I am better prepared,” Obiri, who has been training in the United States told Sports Leo.
She says she picked a lot of lessons from the New York race and will look to implement them on a tougher course in Boston.
Marathons about patience
“Marathons are mostly about patience. That is the biggest lesson I learnt from New York. You need to know when is the best time to make a move, when you can accelerate and when you need to slow down. I have picked this up and I am planning my race better,” added Obiri.
Prior to racing in Boston, Obiri has been in good form on the road, winning the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, before going on to clinch victory at the New York Half Marathon where she set a new course record of 1:07:21.
“The results from RAK and New York have shown me that I am fit and ready and also, they have boosted my confidence. I head to Boston with a better focus and purpose and I am looking forward to do well,” she noted.
The field in Boston will be tough, with ex New York and London Marathon champion Joyciline Jepkosgei, former champion Edna Kiplagat as well as compatriots Angela Tanui and Fancy Chemutai also in the field.
Very strong field in Boston
Kenyan-turned Israeli Lonah Salpeter is also in the field, while Ethiopia’s national record holder Amane Beriso is the fastest in the field.
“It will be a very strong field in Boston with the ladies there having good times compared to me. But it is a marathon with no pacemakers and an open field. It will be anyone’s to take and I will be there to do my best,” noted Obiri.
The USA-based Kiplagat, a veteran of the World Major Marathons, will be running in Boston for the sixth time. She finished fourth last year, having won it in 2021. She also won in 2017 and finished second in 2019 while in 2018, she was ninth.
She has also won London and New York and will be now seeking her third Boston title, at the age of 43.
“Age is nothing but a number. I am feeling good and I am ready for the race on Monday. Hopefully I will post a good time and a good finish,” said Kiplagat.
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