Hellen Obiri will be aiming for Olympic marathon gold in Paris, seeking to complete her illustrious career with the ultimate accolade.
Two-time Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri is more than ready to seize her moment when she steps onto the streets of Paris for the Olympic marathon.
With two Olympic silver medals in the 5,000m already under her belt, Obiri has made an effortless transition to road running and now stands as one of the top contenders for gold in the women’s marathon on Sunday.
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At 34, Obiri has amassed an impressive list of accolades throughout her athletics career.
Her transition to marathons has been nothing short of extraordinary, with victories in three of the four marathons she has entered, including consecutive triumphs in Boston—one of the prestigious World Marathon Majors.
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Despite her glittering career, there’s one achievement that has eluded her: an Olympic gold medal.
“This is the only missing accolade in my athletics career,” Obiri told BBC Sport Africa.
“If I win an Olympic gold I would have achieved everything I have wanted career-wise, because I have won World Cross-Country, World Championships, and other major races.”
The significance of an Olympic gold medal for Obiri cannot be overstated.
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After years of hard work and dedication, the Kenyan athlete sees this as the final piece to complete her legacy.
It is a goal that has driven her throughout her career and one she is determined to achieve in Paris.
“It will be an exciting moment for me, I can’t even imagine. I will fight up to the end to make this dream come true,” she said with resolve.
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For Obiri, the Paris Olympics could mark the culmination of her journey in championship racing.
She has hinted at the possibility of retiring from championship competitions if she clinches the gold medal.
“I think this will be my last Olympics, but I see myself going extra hard,” she explained.
“If I win it, I will give [an] opportunity to the upcoming athletes in 2028. I will be running other races, but I will not be in Team Kenya for championships.”
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However, the road to gold in Paris is fraught with challenges.
Obiri faces stiff competition from some of the best marathon runners in the world, including Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa, Kenya’s defending champion Peres Jepchirchir, and Dutch sensation Sifan Hassan.
Assefa has emerged as a formidable contender, having set a world record of 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 53 seconds at last year’s Berlin Marathon.
Jepchirchir, Obiri’s compatriot, is also in top form, having won the London Marathon in April with a women-only world record of 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 16 seconds.
Meanwhile, Hassan has proven her mettle with major wins in London and Chicago last year, though fatigue could be a factor after competing in the 10,000m on Friday.
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But Obiri remains unfazed by the competition.
“I will run my own race. I am well prepared and ready for the battle," she stated confidently.
Preparation has been key for Obiri considering the challenging course in Paris.
The marathon route will include two climbs with a combined elevation of 436m, adding another layer of difficulty to the race.
“I took a lot of time to study the course to plan on how to handle the hills and strategize in training,” Obiri said.
“When there are many hills, it becomes difficult. Most of us are used to running a flat course.”
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Obiri’s marathon journey began with her debut at the 2022 New York City Marathon, where she finished sixth.
Her performance in 2023 was nothing short of spectacular, as she won her Boston Marathon debut in commanding fashion and later defended her title at the New York City Marathon.
Returning to Boston earlier this year, Obiri proved her prowess once again by successfully defending her title, solidifying her place in Kenya’s Olympic marathon team.
In Paris, Obiri will be joined by Jepchirchir and 2022 New York City Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi as she embarks on her quest for Olympic glory.
For Obiri, this is more than just another race—it is a chance to cap off an illustrious career with the ultimate prize.