Obiri Smashes NYC Marathon Course Record to Claim Second Title

Hellen Onsando Obiri, born on December 13, 1989, in Kisii County, Kenya, is a renowned Kenyan middle- and long-distance runner celebrated for her exceptional versatility and achievements across track, cross country, and road running. She is distinguished as the only woman to have won world titles indoors, outdoors, and in cross country[2][3]. Obiri’s career highlights include becoming a two-time world outdoor champion in the 5000 meters (2017 and 2019), where she also set a championship record in 2019. She secured the world indoor title in the 3000 meters in 2012 and won the World Cross Country Championships in 2019, showcasing her range across different terrains and distances[1][3]. At the Olympic Games, she earned silver medals in the 5000 meters twice, at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021, and placed fourth in the 10,000 meters in Tokyo[2][3]. Transitioning to the marathon, Obiri quickly established herself among the elite. In 2023, she won both the Boston Marathon and the New York City Marathon, becoming the first woman since 1989 to achieve this double victory in the same year. She successfully defended her Boston Marathon title in 2024[1][7]. Her personal bests include 14:18.37 in the 5000 meters and 1:04:22 in the half marathon[5]. Currently residing and training in Boulder, Colorado, Obiri is affiliated with the ON Athletics Club and coached by Dathan Ritzenheim. She balances her athletic career with family life, being married with a daughter[3][6]. As of 2025, Obiri remains a dominant figure in global long-distance running, consistently performing at the highest level across multiple disciplines[7].

Sharon Lokedi, born March 10, 1994, in Eldoret, Kenya, is a prominent Kenyan middle and long-distance runner specializing in events from 5000 meters to the marathon. She gained international recognition through an outstanding collegiate career at the University of Kansas (KU) from 2015 to 2018, where she was a 10-time All-American and 12-time Big 12 champion. Lokedi won the 10,000 meters at the 2018 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships and set multiple KU school records in the 5000 and 10,000 meters[1][2][4]. After college, Lokedi transitioned successfully to professional road racing and marathons. She made a remarkable marathon debut by winning the 2022 New York City Marathon. In 2025, she returned to major marathon victory by winning the Boston Marathon with a course record time of 2:17:22, outperforming notable competitors including two-time defending champion Hellen Obiri. This victory further established her as one of the top marathon runners globally[3][5][6]. Lokedi is also known for her academic pursuits, having studied nursing and business at KU, with aspirations to apply her knowledge to improve healthcare in her native Kenya[2][7]. She is affiliated with Under Armour and competes using their elite marathon shoes, supported by the UA Mission Run’s Dark Sky Distance team and coached by Stephen Haas[5]. Her personal bests include a 1:05:00 half marathon (2025) and a 2:17:22 marathon (2025). As of 2025, she ranks among the top women's marathon and road running athletes worldwide[3]. Sharon Lokedi is recognized for her blend of speed, endurance, and tactical racing, making her a significant figure in contemporary long-distance running.

Benson Kipruto, born on March 17, 1991, in Tolilet, Kenya, is a prominent Kenyan long-distance runner specializing in the marathon. He has established himself as one of the top marathoners globally, with notable achievements including an Olympic bronze medal in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where he finished third with a time of 2:07:00[1][2][7]. Kipruto is distinguished as a four-time winner of the World Marathon Majors (WMM), having won four different major city marathons: the 2021 Boston Marathon, the 2022 Chicago Marathon, the 2024 Tokyo Marathon (where he set a course record and personal best of 2:02:16), and the 2025 New York City Marathon. His victory in New York was marked by a dramatic photo finish, narrowly edging out Alexander Mutiso by three-hundredths of a second[1][2][5][7]. His career highlights also include multiple podium finishes in major marathons, such as third places at the 2022 and 2023 Boston Marathons and a second-place finish at the 2023 Chicago Marathon with a personal best of 2:04:02, where he finished behind world record holder Kelvin Kiptum[1][3][4]. Kipruto made his marathon debut in 2016 at the Athens Marathon and entered the World Marathon Majors circuit in 2019. Since then, he has been recognized for his consistent high-level performances and competitive rivalry with top marathoners, including Eliud Kipchoge[4]. In 2024, he was shortlisted for the World Athletics Out of Stadium Male Athlete of the Year award. Outside competition, Kipruto has made personal investments, relocating his family nearer to training areas in Kenya[2]. His achievements have cemented his status among the elite in marathon running, making him a significant figure in Kenyan and global athletics.

Alexander Mutiso Munyao is a Kenyan long-distance runner born on September 10, 1996, in Ndithini village, Makueni County, Kenya. He specializes in road running, particularly the marathon and half marathon events. Munyao has risen to prominence as one of Kenya’s leading marathoners, known for his strong performances on the international stage. Munyao’s personal bests include a half marathon time of 57:59, set at the 2020 Valencia Half Marathon, which ranks as the fourth-fastest time ever recorded. His marathon best is 2:03:11, achieved at the 2023 Valencia Marathon, making him one of the fastest marathon runners in history. He won the 2023 Prague International Marathon in a course record of 2:05:09 and claimed his first World Marathon Major title at the 2024 London Marathon, finishing in 2:04:01 after a decisive late surge to defeat Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele. Munyao’s achievements have earned him a place on Kenya’s marathon team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he is expected to be a strong contender. His journey from a humble background in rural Kenya to the elite ranks of international athletics has been widely noted, with his early inspiration drawn from watching fellow Kenyan marathoner Patrick Makau. Currently ranked among the world’s top marathoners, Munyao is recognized for his consistency, tactical racing, and ability to compete with the sport’s best. He continues to be a prominent figure in global marathon racing, with recent focus on defending his London Marathon title and aiming for further personal bests.

Albert Korir is a Kenyan long-distance runner born on March 2, 1994, in Kapkitony, Kenya. He has established himself as a prominent figure in international marathon racing, representing Kenya in major competitions around the world. Korir began his marathon career in 2016, quickly making an impact with podium finishes in Barcelona and Toronto. His first major victory came at the 2017 Vienna City Marathon, where he won in a time of 2:08:40. In 2019, he claimed wins at both the Houston and Ottawa marathons, setting a personal best of 2:08:03 in Ottawa. That same year, he finished second at the TCS New York City Marathon, just 23 seconds behind compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor. After a two-year hiatus from marathon racing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Korir returned to New York in 2021 and won the men's race in 2:08:22. This victory not only marked his first Abbott World Marathon Majors title but also secured him the overall Series XIII championship, finishing with 41 points—seven ahead of Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma. Korir’s 2021 win was notable for its competitive field and his decisive move in the final stages. In recent years, Korir has remained a consistent presence in major marathons. He returned to New York in 2022, finishing seventh, and in 2023, he placed fourth at the Boston Marathon with a time of 2:08:01, improving his personal best to 2:06:57 at the 2023 New York City Marathon. His performances continue to place him among the top marathoners globally, and he remains a key representative for Kenya in international distance running.

Hillary Bor, born November 22, 1989, in Eldoret, Kenya, is a Kenyan-born American track and field athlete specializing in the 3000 meters steeplechase. He emerged as a promising athlete in high school, excelling in steeplechase, long jump, and pole vault, and ran a 3:55 1500 meters. Bor earned a scholarship to Iowa State University, where he was a multiple-time NCAA All-American and Academic All-American, improving his steeplechase personal best to 8:35.12 during his collegiate career[1][2]. After college, Bor joined the U.S. Army in 2013 through the MAVNI program, seeking American citizenship and opportunities rather than immediate athletic success. His running career was revitalized in the military, where he balanced duties as a sergeant with rigorous training. He eventually qualified for the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) and earned U.S. citizenship, alongside his brothers who also served in the military[6][7]. Bor is a three-time U.S. national champion in the steeplechase and has represented the United States in the 3000m steeplechase at two Olympic Games (Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020), finishing seventh in Rio. He has also competed in multiple World Athletics Championships (2017, 2019, 2022), consistently placing among the top athletes globally. In 2019, he set a personal best of 8:08.41 in the steeplechase[3][4]. Beyond the track, Bor broke a 40-year-old American record in the 10-mile road race in 2023, finishing in 46:11. He has expanded into road running, making his half marathon debut in 2024 with a time under one hour (59:55 in 2025), marking him as a versatile distance runner[3][4]. Currently residing in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Bor remains an active professional athlete coached by Scott Simmons and affiliated with the U.S. Army athletic program. His career reflects a unique blend of military service and elite athletic achievement, underscoring his significance in American distance running[5][7].