Introducing Corporal Sheila Chepkurui!

New York City Marathon champion Sheila Chepkurui has been promoted from Senior Sapper to Corporal (Cpl) in an event president over by Brigadier Victor Mburu, Commander Combat Engineers Brigade, on Wednesday 13 November at Thika Barracks.

On her debut in the race, the 33-year-old stunned favourite and defending champion Hellen Obiri, clocking 2:24:35 seconds to finish 14 seconds ahead of her Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) compatriot in a Kenyan podium sweep completed by Vivian Cheruiyot.

This was the winner’s first World Marathon Major title, having come close in Berlin last year, settling for silver.

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“We are happy and proud of you,” Mburu told the athlete as reported by KDF media. “We are very grateful for your continued achievements and for representing Kenya and KDF so well. May God bless you in your training and all your future endeavors. Keep encouraging, supporting, and mentoring the upcoming KDF athletes.”

Coming into the race, Chepkirui held the fastest personal best in the field at 2:17:29, which she set on her marathon debut at the 2022 Valencia Marathon. She has carried the tag of Queen of close finishes with her second place in Berlin and fourth in London last year, a tag she made sure to drop in a loaded field that also had Sharon Lokedi, the 2022 winner of the race.

“I am grateful to KDF for providing a supportive environment, training facilities, and the opportunity to sustain my athletics career,” the athlete offered.

Chepkurui had a relatively successful track career that started with gold at the 2005 World Youth Championships, with a 4:12.29 championship record. Since transitioning to the senior ranks in 2016, she has won the African Championships 5000m title and settled for bronze in 10,000m at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 before transitioning fully to the classic distance.