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    Hellen Obiri: A star who once ditched running for Netball: – Athletics News

    In the heart of Kisii County, in a small village called Boginchocho, a future athletics star was born on December 13, 1989. Hellen Onsando Obiri, the fourth of six siblings, would go on to achieve unparalleled success in athletics, making history as the only woman to win world titles in indoor track, outdoor track, and cross-country.

    The Making of a Champion

    On January 28, 2025, at 7:30 a.m., I find myself at Vapor Training Ground in Ngong Township, a renowned hub for elite Kenyan athletes. Among the figures warming up in the distance, one distinctive running style catches my eye—long strides, flapping arms, and a slight tilt of the head to the left. It is none other than the reigning Boston Marathon champion, Hellen Obiri.

    Hellen Obiri training at Ngong-vapor Ground together with the National 800m champion, Lilian odira. Photo: Peter Njoroge

    Obir’s journey to the top was anything but conventional. Though the only runner in her family, her father was an avid sports fan who ensured she participated in competitions, regardless of distance. “My dad even took me to school games in Mombasa,” she recalls. This unwavering support propelled Obiri to chase her dreams relentlessly.

    A Determined Young Girl

    From a tender age, Obiri was passionate about running. In school, she longed to compete against older, more experienced girls. However, her small stature often led coaches to remove her from the starting line. Determined to prove them wrong, she once sneaked into a race unnoticed and, against all odds, won by a significant margin. Though a technical issue later prevented her from advancing to the district level, her father took matters into his own hands, ensuring she competed elsewhere.

    Her father’s belief in her talent was unwavering. “Any race I went to, he was always there, earning the nickname ‘My Teacher,’” she says with a laugh. Without a steady job, he still made it his mission to support her. “He even sent me on errands to my grandparents’ home, 5km away, to unknowingly train me.”

    One of Obiri’s earliest challenges was competing in inadequate gear. “I once ran a 10,000m race at Gusii stadium, in a skirt and inner pants known as a ‘biker,’ with my dad cheering me on from the stands with glucose in hand, such memories are so sweet to me”. She says with a cool smile.

    After completing primary school, Obiri’s father travelled to Nairobi to secure her a place in secondary school. She first attended Hidden Talent Secondary School before transferring to Riruta Central Secondary school, where she could access better training facilities.

    A Bumpy Start to Stardom

    Despite excelling in 400m and 800m races in school, Obiri once attempted a steeplechase. “I miscalculated a jump and ended up stuck on the barrier, my legs tangled. That was my worst running experience!” she laughs. Nevertheless, she continued excelling in middle-distance races, though she never competed internationally while in school.

    Hellen Obiri wins the 500m race during 2022 World Championship Trials at Kasarani Stadium followed by Margeret Chelimo, Sheila Chepkurui and Irene Cheptai. Photo: Peter Njoroge

    After completing her studies, Obiri faced a tough decision: return home to Kisii, where opportunities were scarce, or fight for her dreams in Nairobi. Determined not to fall into casual labour ( she used to make brick during school vacations), she asked her then coach, Gregory Kilonzo, to allow her to stay at his house. Shortly after, she participated in a cross-country race at Ngong Racecourse, where her talent caught the eye of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) coach Sammy Macharia. He invited her to train at the KDF camp in Nanyuki.

    In 2008, Obiri’s fortunes changed dramatically when the late General Francis Ogolla Omondi spotted her during training. “He asked for my phone number and promised to recruit me into KDF because he believed I would be a big star,” she recalls. True to his word, he personally ensured her recruitment, setting the stage for her military and athletics career.

    A Brief Detour to Netball

    Despite being recruited into KDF and she had all time to train, Hellen momentarily lost faith in running and joined the Ulinzi Netball Team for a year. However, a KDF coach persuaded her to return to running, warning that she was wasting her immense talent. She resumed training in 2010, finishing 37th at the KDF Cross Country Championships, the following year, she had climbed to 5th place, reigniting her confidence.

    Her international breakthrough came in 2011 at the Military Games in Rio de Janeiro, where she finished 3rd in the 800m and 4th in the 1500m. The same year, she represented Kenya at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, finishing 10th in the 1500m. “Wearing the Kenyan uniform for the first time was an emotional moment. I knew I was making my father’s dream come true.”

    Dominance on the Track

    Hellen’s most memorable track moment came at the 2017 World Championships in London, where she faced Ethiopian powerhouse Almaz Ayana in the 5000m final. “I stayed close to her the entire race, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. At the 300m mark, I unleashed my finishing kick and won, in 2017, I was in my best form, and I knew I had strong finishing kicks than Ayana’. she recounts.

    Hellen Obiri out kicked Almaz Ayana to snatch 5000m gold. Photo: Getty Images.

    Transition to Road Racing

    As new talent emerged on the track, Obiri felt it was time for a change. She transitioned to road races, though she admits her marathon debut at the 2022 New York City Marathon was a harsh learning experience. “I didn’t know that a marathon truly begins at 37/38km. I went out too fast and faded, finishing sixth.”

    Determined to improve, she ran the 2023 Boston Marathon and won, one month after she took part at TCS New York Marathon winning again, this win made Obiri became the first woman to win the Boston and New York City races in the same year since 1989, when Norwegian Ingrid Kristiansen pulled off the double.

    “Am going to defend my title this year, that’s why I came to train in Ngong, though in USA I have all facilities I may need for training but the weather is very cold there, which might affect my training programs,” said Obiri.

    Major Achievements

    Event Year Location Medal
    Olympic Games 2016 Rio de Janeiro Silver (5000m)
    Olympic Games 2020 Tokyo Silver (5000m)
    Olympic Games 2024 Paris Bronze (Marathon)
    World Championships 2017 London Gold (5000m)
    World Championships 2019 Doha Gold (5000m)
    World Championships 2022 Eugene Silver (10,000m)
    World Championships 2013 Moscow Bronze (1500m)
    World Marathon Majors 2023 Boston Gold (Marathon)
    World Marathon Majors 2023 New York Gold (Marathon)
    World Marathon Majors 2024 Boston Gold (Marathon)
    World Marathon Majors 2024 New York Silver (Marathon)

    Appreciation & Motivation

    Obiri attributes her success to the guidance and unwavering support of her coaches, including Gregory Kilonzo, Sammy Macharia, and the late General Francis Ogolla Omondi. She also expresses deep gratitude to her employer, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), On-Running Company and Pace sports management and her current coaches Dathan Ritz and Keiseiy in USA.

    Hellen draws motivation from her family, ‘I have a very understanding husband, who fully supports me, and our child, who inspires me always’ Says Obiri. Additionally, her family back in Kisii remains a significant source of encouragement.

    Advice to Upcoming Athletes

    Obiri advises young athletes to stay very disciplined, work hard, and remain patient in their journey. She highlights Mary Moraa as an example of an athlete who learned from her, demonstrating the power of mentorship in sports. “The road to success is not easy, but with determination and the right guidance, greatness is possible.”

    I admired the determination on her face of conquering Boston again, ‘am looking to see you again soon’, she said as she tighten her shoes-laces and jogging off to her waiting car , heading for another training session, in another location.

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