Hellen Obiri Explained

Hellen Obiri
Fullname:Hellen Onsando Obiri
Birth Date:13 December 1989
Birth Place:Kisii, Kenya
Height:1.60 m
Weight:50 kg
Country:Kenya
Sport:Athletics
Event:Middle-, Long-distance running
Coach:Dathan Ritzenhein (2022–)
Ricky Simms (–2022)
Team:On Athletics Club
Show-Medals:yes

Hellen Onsando Obiri (born 13 December 1989)[1] is a Kenyan middle- and long-distance runner. She is the only woman to have won world titles in indoor track, outdoor track and cross country. Obiri is a two-time Olympic 5,000 metres silver medallist from the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she also placed fourth over the 10,000 metres. She is a two-time world champion after winning the 5,000 m in 2017 and again in 2019, when she set a new championship record. Obiri also took world bronze for the 1,500 metres in 2013 and silver in the 10,000 m in 2022. She won the 3,000 metres race at the 2012 World Indoor Championships, claimed silver in 2014, and placed fourth in 2018. She is the 2019 World Cross Country champion. Obiri triumphed in the 2023 Boston Marathon, her second marathon race. She places fifth in the half marathon on the world all-time list.[2]

She won a bronze medal in the 2024 Summer Olympics in the Women's marathon.

Obiri is the former Kenyan national record holder for the mile and the 5000 metres. Both those records were only recently broken by Faith Kipyegon on her way to setting the current mile World Record of 4:07.64 set in Monaco on 21 July 2023. Kipyegon is also the national 5000 metre record holder, by reason of being the immediate former 5000 metre World Record holder with a time of 14:05.20 set in Paris France on 9 June 2023.

Obiri was cited as one of the Top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine in 2017.[3]

Early life and background

Hailing from Kisii in south-western Kenya, Obiri was the fourth child in a family of six children. At age 14, she was recruited as a 200 and 400 metres sprinter to attend Riruta Central Secondary School in Nairobi. However, she lost interest in the sport and stopped running altogether in 2006 and 2007 to focus on her studies. She only re-engaged with athletics to join the military. In 2009, Obiri graduated from Kenya Defence Forces Recruit Training School in Eldoret. Her first major race was at the 2010 Kenya Armed Forces Cross Country Championships, where she finished 32nd. She placed fifth after some training the following year. She is a member of the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF).[4]

She is married to Tom Nyaundi, a former runner, and they have a daughter, Tania 'Blessing' Macheche, born in May 2015 through caesarean section. Obiri resumed racing within seven months.[5]

Career

Hellen Obiri gained her first international experience at the 2011 Military World Games in Rio de Janeiro, where she won the bronze medal for the 800 metres and placed fourth in the 1500 metres. She debuted in the World Championships in Athletics held in 2011 in Daegu, South Korea the following month, competing at the latter distance. Obiri set a personal best time of 4:07.59 in the heats but fell in the final, bringing pre-event favourite Morgan Uceny down with her, and finished 10th. She later said, "After Daegu I went back to Kenya and started training seriously."

In 2012, the 22-year-old took her first global title at the Istanbul World Indoor Championships, clocking 8:37.16 over the 3000 metres. This became the turning point of her career. That same year, she debuted in the Olympics at the London Games, finishing initially 12th and last in the 1500 m final, upgraded to eighth after subsequent doping disqualifications.

On 1 June 2013, Obiri won her first Diamond League race with 1500 m victory in USA's Eugene, setting a new personal best and meet record of 3:58.58. She earned bronze in the event at the World Championships in Athletics held in August in Moscow. Obiri then earned the silver medal in the 3000 m at the 2014 World Indoor Championships in Sopot, Poland, behind multiple world record-holder Genzebe Dibaba. On 9 May that year at the Doha Diamond League, she set an African record in the outdoor event with a time of 8:20.68, improving her personal best by more than 13 seconds. In August, she added 1500 m title at the African Championships.

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Obiri competed in the 5000 metres and earned the silver medal in a time of 14:29.77, behind compatriot Vivian Cheruiyot in an Olympic record of 14:26.17 and ahead of Ethiopia's Almaz Ayana who ran 14:33.59.[6]

Obiri represented Kenya at the 2017 World Championships in London in the same event and won the gold medal with a time of 14:34.86, ahead of Ayana and Sifan Hassan.[7]

2018 saw her take two more gold medals in the 5000 m events, at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and at the African Championships.

In March 2019, Obiri won the senior women's race at the World Cross Country Championship held in Aarhus, Denmark, beating on a 10.2 km course second-placed Dera Dida by two seconds with a time of 36:14.[8] [9] After she posted best female times of the year in the 5000 metres in 2017 and 2018, Obiri successfully defended her title at the Doha World Championships in October, setting a championship record of 14:26.72 in the process. Her compatriot Margaret Kipkemboi (14:27.49) and Konstanze Klosterhalfen (14:28.43) finished second and third, respectively.[10]

Obiri represented Kenya at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in both the women's 5000 m and 10,000 m events.[11] She won the silver medal at the former in a time of 14:38.36, finishing behind only Hassan who ran 14:36.79; Gudaf Tsegay took bronze in 14:38.87.[12] Obiri placed fourth in the 10,000 m final in a personal best behind, 1–3, Hassan, Kalkidan Gezahegne and Letesenbet Gidey.[13]

At the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, Obiri came second in the 10,000 m. She was beaten to gold by Gidey in a close finish (the top 3 were only separated by 0.13 s).[14]

She capped her fine 2022 season (64:22 at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in February; wins at Istanbul Half Marathon, Great Manchester Run and Great North Run) in November debuting in the marathon at the New York City Marathon, where she placed sixth.[15] [16]

Obiri got her 2023 campaign off to strong start. In February, she won the RAK Half and then the New York City Half Marathon in March. On 17 April, the 33-year-old ran her second marathon, competing in the Boston Marathon against the deepest elite women’s field ever assembled. She won with a personal best time of 2:21:38, 12 seconds clear of second-place finisher Amane Beriso who had by far the fastest personal best heading into the race (2:14:58).[17] [18] Obiri went on to win the 2023 New York City Marathon in a time of 2:25:49.[19]

Achievements

International competitions

Representing
2011Military World GamesRio de Janeiro, Brazil3rd800 m2:01.86
4th1500 m4:19.32
World ChampionshipsDaegu, South Korea10th1500 m4:20.23
2012World Indoor ChampionshipsIstanbul, Turkeybgcolor=gold1st3000 m i8:37.16
Olympic GamesLondon, United Kingdom8th1500 m4:16.57
2013World ChampionshipsMoscow, Russia3rd1500 m4:03.86
2014World Indoor ChampionshipsSopot, Polandbgcolor=silver2nd3000 m i8:57.72
IAAF World RelaysNassau, Bahamasbgcolor=gold1st relay16:33.58
Commonwealth GamesGlasgow, United Kingdom6th1500 m4:10.84
African ChampionshipsMarrakech, Moroccobgcolor=gold1st1500 m4:09.53
2016Olympic GamesRio de Janeiro, Brazilbgcolor=silver2nd5000 m14:29.77
2017World ChampionshipsLondon, United Kingdombgcolor=gold1st5000 m14:34.86
2018World Indoor ChampionshipsBirmingham, United Kingdom4th3000 m i8:49.66
Commonwealth GamesGold Coast, Australiabgcolor=gold1st5000 m15:13.11
African ChampionshipsAsaba, Nigeriabgcolor=gold1st5000 m15:47.18
2019World Cross Country ChampionshipsAarhus, Denmarkbgcolor=gold1stSenior race36:14
bgcolor=silver2ndSenior team25 pts
World ChampionshipsDoha, Qatarbgcolor=gold1st5000 m14:26.72
5th10,000 m30:35.82
2021Olympic GamesTokyo, Japanbgcolor=silver2nd5000 m14:38.36
4th10,000 m
2022World ChampionshipsEugene, OR, United Statesbgcolor=silver2nd10,000 m30:10.02 PB
2024Olympic GamesParis, France3rdMarathon2:23:10
Road races
2018San Silvestre VallecanaMadrid, Spainbgcolor=silver2nd10 km29:59
2019Great Manchester RunManchester, United Kingdombgcolor=gold1st10 km31:23
2020Cursa dels NassosBarcelona, Spainbgcolor=gold1st10 km30:53
2021Istanbul Half MarathonIstanbul, Turkey3rdHalf marathon1:04:51
Weltklasse ZürichZürich, Switzerlandbgcolor=silver2nd5 km14:30
Great North RunNewcastle, United Kingdombgcolor=gold1stHalf marathon1:07:42
2022Ras Al Khaimah Half MarathonRas Al Khaimah, United Arab Emiratesbgcolor=silver2ndHalf marathon1:04:22 PB[20]
Istanbul Half MarathonIstanbul, Turkeybgcolor=gold1stHalf marathon 1:04:48
World 10K BengaluruBangalore, Indiabgcolor=silver2nd10 km30:44
Great Manchester RunManchester, United Kingdombgcolor=gold1st10 km30:15
Great North RunNewcastle, United Kingdombgcolor=gold1stHalf marathon1:07:05
2023Ras Al Khaimah Half MarathonRas Al Khaimah, United Arab Emiratesbgcolor=gold1stHalf marathon1:05:05
New York City Half MarathonNew York, NY, United Statesbgcolor=gold1stHalf marathon1:07:21 CR
Great Manchester RunManchester, United Kingdombgcolor=gold1st10 km31:14
World Marathon Majors
2022New York City MarathonNew York, NY, United States6thMarathon 2:25:49
2023Boston MarathonBoston, MA, United Statesbgcolor=gold1stMarathon
New York City MarathonNew York, NY, United Statesbgcolor=gold1stMarathon2:27:23
2024Boston MarathonBoston, MA, United Statesbgcolor=gold1stMarathon2:22:27
Cross country races
2022Northern Ireland International Cross CountryDundonald, Belfast, Northern Irelandbgcolor=gold1stXC 8.0 km26:44

Circuit wins and titles

National titles

Personal bests

Type Event Time Place Date Notes
Track2:00.54 London, United Kingdom 5 August 2011
3:57.05 Eugene, OR, United States 31 May 2014
4:16.15 London, United Kingdom 22 July 2018
8:20.68 Doha, Qatar 9 May 2014
3000 metres indoor 8:29.41 Birmingham, United Kingdom 18 February 2017
9:14.55 Eugene, OR, United States 20 August 2021
14:18.37 Rome, Italy 8 June 2017
30:10.02 Eugene, OR, United States 16 July 2022
16:33.58 Nassau, Bahamas 24 May 2014 African record
Road14:30 Zürich, Switzerland 8 September 2021
30:15 Manchester, United Kingdom 22 May 2022 (also 29:59 not legal)
1:04:22 Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai 19 February 2022 5th all-time[23]
2:21:38 Boston, MA, United States 17 April 2023

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hellen OBIRI – Athlete Profile . . 15 January 2021 . 22 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210122010426/https://www.worldathletics.org/athletes/kenya/hellen-obiri-14424921 . live .
  2. Web site: Whittington . Jess . 2022-03-27 . Obiri and Kwemoi claim half marathon crowns in Istanbul . 2022-03-27 . . 27 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220327151634/https://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/obiri-kwemoi-istanbul-half-marathon . live .
  3. Web site: fadamana. 2017-12-07. 100 Most Influential Africans: Ten Kenyans Including CJ David Maraga Listed. 2021-01-05. Answers Africa. en-US. 21 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210121200236/https://answersafrica.com/100-most-influential-africans-list.html. live.
  4. Web site: 4 June 2014 . Hellen in eleven . 14 April 2018 . Spikes . . 17 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230417163510/https://worldathletics.org/spikes/news/11-things-you-may-not-know-about-hellen-obiri . live .
  5. Web site: Makori . Elias . 14 April 2018 . Hellen Obiri: How I shed 23kg after childbirth to run again . 14 April 2018 . . 18 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230418063519/https://nation.africa/kenya/sports/athletics/hellen-obiri-how-i-shed-23kg-after-childbirth-to-run-again-32862 . live .
  6. Web site: 2016-08-19 . The XXXI Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016 – 5000 metres Women Final . 2022-03-23 . . 26 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220326123957/https://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/olympic-games/the-xxxi-olympic-games-7093747/results/women/5000-metres/final/result . live .
  7. Web site: 2017-08-13 . WCH 17 London 2017 – 5000 metres Women Final . 2022-03-22 . . 1 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220401124024/https://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-championships/iaaf-world-championships-london-2017-7093740/results/women/5000-metres/final/result . live .
  8. Web site: Senior women's race. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200627195835/https://media.aws.iaaf.org/competitiondocuments/pdf/6265/AT-XSE-W-f----.RS6.pdf?v=21598225. 27 June 2020. 27 June 2020. 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championships.
  9. Web site: Bring on the Mud and Hills! World Cross Country Championships Batter Runners With Challenging New Course. Dennehy. Cathal. 30 March 2019. Runner's World. en-US. 25 August 2019. 28 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190428180410/https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a26995923/2019-world-cross-country-championships/. live.
  10. Web site: 2019-10-05 . WCH 19 Doha 2019 – 5000 metres Women Final . 2022-03-22 . . 1 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220401122636/https://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-championships/iaaf-world-athletics-championships-doha-2019-7125365/results/women/5000-metres/final/result . live .
  11. Web site: Olobulu. Timothy. 2021-06-19. Conseslus, Timothy Cheruiyot out as Kenya names team for Tokyo Olympics. 2021-06-20. Capital Sports. en-US. 20 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210620235829/https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/sports/2021/06/19/280500/. live.
  12. Web site: 2021-08-02 . The XXXII Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – 5000 metres Women Final . 2022-03-22 . World Athletics.
  13. Web site: 2021-08-07 . The XXXII Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – 10,000 metres Women Final . 2022-03-22 . . 26 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211026082603/https://worldathletics.org/competitions/olympic-games/the-xxxii-olympic-games-athletics-7132391/results/women/10000-metres/final/result . live .
  14. Web site: 2022-07-16 . Letesenbet Gidey Gets Her Gold, Outkicks Hellen Obiri, Sifan Hassan to Win 10,000m at 2022 World Championships . 2022-08-24 . . 20 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220720051043/https://www.letsrun.com/news/2022/07/letesenbet-gidey-gets-her-gold-outkicks-hellen-obiri-sifan-hassan/ . live .
  15. Web site: Ramsay . George . 2022-08-16 . Distance runner Hellen Obiri is moving thousands of miles from her home in Kenya to pursue her marathon ambitions . 2022-11-06 . . en . 6 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221106214940/https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/10/sport/hellen-obiri-new-york-city-marathon-spt-intl/index.html . live .
  16. Web site: 2022-11-06 . Lokedi and Chebet come from behind to take New York Marathon victories . 2022-11-06 . . 6 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221106215152/https://worldathletics.org/news/report/new-york-marathon-2022-lokedi-chebet . live .
  17. Web site: 17 April 2023 . Chebet retains Boston title while Obiri claims first major marathon victory . 17 April 2023 . . 20 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420060024/https://worldathletics.org/news/report/boston-marathon-2023-obiri-chebet . live .
  18. Web site: Cacciola . Scott . 17 April 2023 . Evans Chebet and Hellen Obiri Conquer the Boston Marathon's Taxing Course . 17 April 2023 . . 0362-4331 . 18 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230418013812/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/17/sports/evans-chebet-and-hellen-obiri-win.html . live .
  19. Web site: 2023-11-05 . Kenyan Runners Dominate The Women's 2023 TCS New York City Marathon . 2023-11-08 . en-US.
  20. Web site: Kelsall . Christopher . 2022-03-01 . Hodgkinson to double at Worlds, Obiri to race half-marathon March 27 . 2022-03-01 . Athletics Illustrated . 1 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220401121734/https://athleticsillustrated.com/keely-hodgkinson-to-double-at-world-indoors-hellen-obiri-to-race-half-marathon-march-27/ . live .
  21. Web site: 2017-09-01 . Diamond League Champions 2017 – Brussels (BEL) 31 Aug-1 Sept 2017 . 2021-01-01 . . 4 . 24 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210824202657/https://www.diamondleague.com/fileadmin/IDL_Default/files/documents/2017/Brussels/DiamondRaceWinners.pdf . live .
  22. Web site: 2018-08-31 . Diamond League Champions 2018 – Brussels (BEL) 30th-31st August 2018 . 2021-01-01 . . 4 . 12 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220812150427/https://www.diamondleague.com/fileadmin/IDL_Default/files/documents/2018/Brussels/DiamondLeagueWinners.pdf . live .
  23. Web site: 2022-03-27 . Top list – Half Marathon Women World . 2022-03-27 . . 10 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221010222423/https://www.worldathletics.org/records/all-time-toplists/road-running/half-marathon/outdoor/women/senior?regionType=world&drop=regular&fiftyPercentRule=regular&page=1&bestResultsOnly=true&firstDay=1900-01-01&lastDay=2022-03-28 . live .