Hellen Obiri’s ambitious plans ahead of New York Marathon

As Hellen Obiri prepares to defend her title at the New York City Marathon on Sunday 3 November anticipation is high for what could be another monumental performance by the Kenyan star.

Obiri, who won the 2023 New York City Marathon with a remarkable time of 2:27:23, is set to return to the streets of New York not only as the reigning champion but as a record-setting athlete who has already cemented her legacy in marathon history.

Last year, the 34-year-old achieved the incredible feat of winning both the Boston and New York City Marathons in the same calendar year; making her the first woman in 34 years to do so.

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This year has seen Obiri extend her winning streak with another triumph at the Boston Marathon, marking her as the first woman since 2005 to secure consecutive victories at this historic race.

With her impressive 2024 season behind her and a recent Olympic bronze medal from the challenging marathon course in Paris, Obiri is poised to potentially achieve back-to-back victories in New York as well.

Reflecting on her journey, Obiri is aware of the rigorous preparation required to defend her title in a short training window.

“I am going [to New York] to defend my title, and to defend your title, you need to work extra hard because we had like less than eight weeks of training. That is too short, so the most important thing is to look after your health and how fit I will be,” she explained.

Obiri emphasized her need for balance as she prepares for the marathon.

“I want to take care of myself and to see everything possible because anything can happen. Like you can get an injury, but if you are in good shape, it is only to maintain it.”

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Her recent experience in Paris where she placed third after recovering from injury showed her resolve to stay focused and her resilience.

"After Paris, I took some weeks off before I started running, so it is only to see how my body and recovery will be," she added.

Obiri also credited her support team, who helped her regain confidence after the disappointment of missing her goal in Paris.

“They give me hope… They took care of me. Getting good treatment and at times talking to me, being with me all the time, so after the injury healed, I’m like, ‘Can I work hard because the people around me are working hard to get well?’”

She will need every ounce of that resilience, as her competition includes several notable athletes. Fellow Kenyan Sharon Lokedi, who won the 2022 New York City Marathon on her debut, will be vying for the top spot.

Lokedi has shown her mettle with a second-place finish in Boston this year and a third-place finish at the Olympic marathon, establishing her as a strong contender.

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Another major competitor will be Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba, making her highly anticipated marathon debut in New York. Dibaba, a three-time Olympic gold medalist in the 5000m and 10,000m, is expected to bring her formidable long distance-running skills to the New York course.

Great Britain’s Lily Partridge, with a marathon personal best of 2:25:12, will also be in the mix, adding further intensity to the race.