Obiri shakes off a strong field to win New York Marathon.

Obiri clocked 2:27:23 to crack the women’s open division race ahead of Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey who emerged second in 2:27:29.

The Boston Marathon champion obliterated a star-studded field including compatriot Sharon Lokedi to garnish her cabinet with another Abbott Marathon Major title this season. Lokedi wrapped up the top three in 2:27:33.

“This is simply amazing. I’m proud of my victory and I dedicate it to my lively family, my country and everyone else who has supported me in this journey,” Obiri said.

“It was a tight race and I thank my teammates for propelling me to victory because this was a tactical race that anyone could have won,” she added in a post-race victory. I’m looking forward to more victories and I cannot rule out Paris 2024,” Obiri remarked.

Obiri made a breakthrough in her career in 2012 when she stormed the world indoor 3000m title.However,Titles, trophies, and medals have been flowing in her direction ever since and age doesn’t seem to deter her resolve to remain at the apex of her game.She twice blazed to the gold podium in the 5000m race during the 2017 and 2019 World Championships and bagged another gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Additinally, she prides herself on the 1500m bronze at the Moscow 2013 World Championships, the 3000m silver at the Sopot 2014 World Indoor Championships, and the 3000m gold at the Istanbul 2012 World Indoor Championships.

Her impressive trophy cabinet includes the 4 x 1500m gold at the Nassau 2014 IAAF World Relays, the 1500m gold at Marrakech 2014 African Championships, the 5000m silver at Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games, and the 5000m gold at London 2017 World Championships.

In 2022, Hellen Obiri continued to make a name for herself in the world of long-distance running.She started the year by winning the women’s 10,000m race at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, where she set a new Games record of 30:38.08 in the process.

The 33-year-old sergeant has experienced an amazing season with triumphs in the Boston Marathon and Great Manchester 10km Run.She is fresh from her third Great Manchester Run 10km title, which she successfully defended in 31:14 earlier in the month.

After winning the race for the first time in 2019, where she clocked 31:23, Obiri reclaimed the championship last year with a track record time of 30:15, breaking the previous mark of 30:52 set in 2021 by Great Britain’s Eilish McColgan.

On the other hand,Ethiopian Tamirat Tola, 32, broke away from the pack to breeze to victory in the men’s race in a course-record time of 2:04:58.Kenya’s Albert Korir came second in the men’s race after finishing the race at 2:06:57.Another Ethiopian Shura Kitata won bronze in the race after getting to the finishing line at 2:07:11More than 50,000 runners poured into New York City, for the massive endurance test.

Renowned for its challenging, winding course, the New York Marathon — and Abbott Major — is one of the world’s most prestigious running races. The 26.2-mile route took runners through all five boroughs of New York City.The route began on Staten Island and traveled through Brooklyn before crossing into Manhattan via the Queensboro Bridge shortly after the 15th mile, briefly heading north into The Bronx before returning through Harlem to Central Park and the finish.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.