Kenyan Obiri eyeing historic Boston Marathon three-peat

Obiri, a two-time 5,000m world champion, will not only be defending her title at the Boston Marathon on April 21, but will be seeking to join the only four other women to have won the race three times in a row.

In the race’s history, Bobbi Gibb, Sara Mae Berman, Uta Pippig and Fatuma Roba have achieved the feat, and Obiri feels fired up to join the special class of the four.

“My full focus is on the Boston Marathon. I’m going to defend my title, that’s the goal. My preparations are so far perfect, all I pray for is to remain healthy and be in perfect shape up to the race day. It is quite a hard task but I know it is achievable,” said Obiri, who is currently training in Ngong, Kenya.

To make it three out-of-three at Boston, the 2023 New York Marathon champion will have to beat a strong field, which includes her Kenyan compatriot Sharon Lokedi, her closest challenger in last year’s edition.

Lokedi, who was also in Team Kenya for the 2024 Paris Olympics, came home eight seconds later to settle for silver, after Obiri who clocked 2:22:27.

Other top contenders include Amane Beriso and Yalemzerf Yehualaw of Ethiopia, the former boasting of a personal best of 2:14:58 from the Valencia Marathon in 2022, which makes her the fifth-fastest woman of all time.

Besides, Irene Cheptai, Joan Melly, Keira D’Amato, Rahma Tusa, Edna Kiplagat, Buze Diriba, Mary Ngugi, Sarah Hall, Bedatu Hirpa, Calli Hauger-Thackery all hold faster personal bests than Obiri’s 2:21:38 which she registered at the 2023 Boston Marathon edition.

However, none of those faster times, than hers, have been run at the Boston course, which leaves Obiri unbowed.

“It’s a very strong field; I have tremendous respect for my competitors. I have competed against most of the top contenders before which gives me some confidence as I have an idea of what to expect.

“However, I appreciate every race is different because it depends on how the body responds on the race day. Yes there is some pressure because there is that talk of three titles in a row, but I have to remind myself of my capabilities and trust that I can compete well against anybody as long as I am in good shape,” noted the 35-year old Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) officer, a member of the On Athletics Club in Colorado – Boulder in the United States.

“I came to Kenya (from the US) hoping to compete at the KDF Cross Country, which I was forced to skip because of a small personal challenge. I have since then concentrated on my training here in Ngong before I go back to the US. I will not be competing at any other event until I run in Boston, because I really want to focus on the race.

“The idea is to forget about the 2024 season totally, in anticipation for a good season in 2025,” added the 2019 World Cross Country champion.

- No plans for Tokyo World Championships - 

Obiri has admitted she was under immense pressure in 2024 ahead of her Olympic debut in the marathon, especially after sustaining an injury which she says significantly affected her preparations for the Paris games. She is therefore keen to avoid undue pressure this time round.

“Soon after winning the Boston Marathon last year, I was unfortunately injured. I had a long rehabilitation period, and only trained for the Olympics for only six weeks. Of course this caused a lot of pressure. You remember I also fell twice in the race (at the Paris Olympics) and to manage a bronze for me was so comforting. Back in my mind I knew I could have done better but still that podium finish was a good achievement knowing all the difficulties I went through towards the competition,” narrated Obiri, who therefore sees Boston as a good chance to spring back to winning ways, as she closed the year 2024 with a second-place finish at the New York City Marathon, behind fellow Kenyan Sheila Chepkurui on November 3.

“I will not be going to Tokyo for the World Championships. I will of course have other races in the year but the World Championships is not part of my plans. I have always represented my country with pride in major championships, but I feel it’s good to give others a chance because we have a number of very good younger athletes.

“So I’ll not be running at the Boston Marathon with a World Championships ticket in mind. I'll not be chasing a specific record either, my plan is just to win. If I win, I will of course register a good time,” revealed Obiri.

“Defending a win is never easy, so winning the Boston Marathon twice in a row was hard, but I’m happy to have done it. It is my biggest motivation towards this year’s race.

“To my fans, I promise to push again for a win and hope to make it three in a row. Let them keep praying for me that I may be in perfect health,” she concluded.