Hellen Obiri defends her title at Boston marathon

Double World 5000m champion, Hellen Obiri defended her women title at the 128th edition of the Boston marathon on Monday (15) in Boston, USA.

Obiri cut the tape in unofficial time of 2:22.37.

Obiri outlasted her compatriot Sharon Lokedi as she wrote her name in the history books as the first woman to repeat since Catherine Nedreba in 2005.

Obiri broke away from the leading pack as she tagged along Sharon Lokedi and the oldest athlete on the elite list, the double world marathon champion, Edna Kiplagat as they went through the halfway mark in 1:12:33, with the race dynamics changing drastically after 30 km.

Things took a different turn at the 35km mark as Obiri, outpaced Lokedi and held on steadily, securing her win by an 8-second margin. Lokedi who is a former New York marathon champion was left with no other option but to settle in second with a new personal best of 2:22.45 with the veteran Kiplagat wrapping the podium three finishes in 2:23.21.

“I knew that Sharon was very strong and I tried my best at the end. I tried to push, but she was still close behind me. To win here makes me so very happy. When I won here last year, I was not familiar with the marathon. This year my training was perfect and I trusted everything we were doing. Winning is something very precious. After winning here, I really hope I will be chosen to compete at the Olympics”, said Obiri.

LEADING RESULTS

42KM WOMEN

1. Hellen Obiri (KEN) 2:22.37
2. Sharon Lokedi (KEN) 2:22.45
3. Edna Kiplagat (KEN) 2:23.21
4. Buze Diriba (ETH) 2:24.04
5. Senbere Teferi (ETH) 2:24.04
6. Mary Ngugi (KEN) 2:24.24