Hellen Obiri made history at the Boston Marathon by becoming the first woman to win the race twice since Kenya’s Catherine Ndereba in 2005.
Around 500,000 spectators lined the streets of Boston for the 128th running of the historic race, which had representation from all 50 U.S. states as well as roughly 130 other nations.
The 34-year-old Kenyan finished the race in 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 37 seconds and recalled motivating herself, “I’m not giving up. I’m not going to let this one go,” even while she was still a long way from the finish line.
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According to the Associated Press, Obiri’s most recent path down the world’s oldest annual marathon course placed her in rare company and put her on course to add to her Olympic medal count.
She told the publication, “Defending the title was not easy. Since Boston started, it’s only six women. So I said, ’Can I be one of them?’ If you want to be one of them, you have to work extra hard. And I’m so happy because I’m now one of them. I’m now in the history books in Boston.”
During the second part of the race, the famed athlete separated from more than a dozen competitors before surpassing a challenge from another Kenyan Sharon Lodeki over the final three miles.
In the end, 30-year-old Lodeki finished second in 2:22:45, with two-time champion and 44-year-old Edna Kiplagat finishing third in 2:23:21. The Kenyans ultimately prevailed in the marathon.
According to the publication, Obiri, who is also a provisional member of Kenya’s Olympic team, won both her Boston debut last April and last year’s New York Marathon.
Obiri now aspires to represent Kenya in France, and Boston’s victory provided the ideal preparation ground.
“(The) Paris course is a tough course. It’s even tougher than Boston,” she remarked.
