Boston Marathon organizers have announced that Hellen Obiri will compete to defend her title at the course on April 15. The two-time world 5,000m champion is one of four winners over the years who will also be on the starting line in 2024. There will also be two-time winner Edna Kiplagat, 2019 champion Worknesh Degefa and 2018 runner-up Desiree Linden.
Hellen Obiri is the only woman in history to hold world titles in indoor, outdoor and cross country. She made her New York City Marathon debut in 2022, where she recorded a time of 2:25:49 hours. This result is still her personal best in the event.
“I am excited to return to the Boston Marathon in 2024 to try to defend my title. Boston is a historic race and I would like to add my name to its history on April 15th. Winning such a historic marathon with my family waiting at the finish was an amazing experience”, said the two-time Olympic silver medalist.
Hellen Obiri is a two-time Olympic 5,000m silver medalist from the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she also placed fourth over the 10,000m. She is a two-time world champion after winning the 5,000m in 2017 and again in 2019, when she set a new championship record. Hellen Obiri also took world bronze for the 1,500m in 2013 and silver in the 10,000m in 2022. She won the 3,000m race at the 2012 World Indoor Championships, claimed silver in 2014, and placed fourth in 2018. She is the 2019 World Cross Country champion. Hellen Obiri triumphed in the 2023 Boston Marathon, her second marathon race.
