Hellen Obiri made history as the first woman to win the Boston Marathon twice since Kenya’s Catherine Ndereba in 2005.
Around 500,000 people lined the streets of Boston for the 128th running of the historic race, which had representatives from all 50 US states and approximately 130 other nations.
The 34-year-old Kenyan finished the run in 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 37 seconds and remembered telling herself, “I’m not giving up.” I’m not going to let this one pass,” even though she was still a long distance from the finish line.
According to the Associated Press, Obiri’s recent trek down the world’s oldest annual marathon course placed her in uncommon company and put her on track to add to her Olympic medal count.
She told the publication that “defending the title was not easy. There have been only six women in Boston since its inception. So I asked, ‘Can I be one of them?’ If you want to be one of them, you must work exceptionally hard. And I’m ecstatic because I’m now one of them. I’m now in the Boston history books.”
During the second part of the race, the renowned athlete split from over a dozen opponents before surpassing a challenge from 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 taking third in 2:23:21. The Kenyans ultimately won the marathon.
According to the publication, Obiri, a temporary member of Kenya’s Olympic team, won both her Boston debut and the New York Marathon last year.
Obiri intends to represent Kenya in France, and Boston’s triumph provided an excellent preparatory ground.
“The Paris course is a difficult course. “It’s even tougher than Boston,” she said.