Hellen Obiri's Ksh20,000 shoes that earned her Ksh1.2 million in Mini 10-K
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 10.06.25. | 07:42
She delivered a tactical masterclass, edging out USA half-marathon record holder Weini Kelati in a fierce sprint finish
Hellen Obiri added another golden feather to her already decorated crown on Sunday, 8 June, after storming to victory at the Mastercard New York Mini 10-K.
Her brilliant performance earned her Ksh1.2 million (USD 10,000).
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Obiri, the only woman in history to have won world titles in indoor track, outdoor track, and cross country, delivered a tactical masterclass, edging out USA half-marathon record holder Weini Kelati in a fierce sprint finish.
She clocked 30:44 to Kelati’s 30:49, as the American set a new USA road record.
Crucial to her performance was her choice of footwear.
She wore the On Cloudboom Echo 3, a high-performance super shoe from On Running, which she said made all the difference.
Retailing at around Ksh24,341, the Cloudboom Echo 3 is designed with elite runners in mind.
It features a carbon plate, dual layers of Pebax foam, and a lightweight microfiber upper, offering a firm yet responsive ride ideal for the high-speed intensity of 10ks and half-marathons.
“The shoes I was supposed to use for the race were too old, and I felt I would not make progress. I decided to use the Cloudboom Echo, and they worked so well,” she said in a post-race interview with Marni on the Move.
The 35-year-old covered the second half of the undulating course in a scorching 15:09.
Her strategic patience behind Kelati paid off, launching a decisive push just after the 9km mark.
“It was a beautiful race. Coming out here and winning has taken so much. Central Park is a beautiful place to run. I have been running here many times. I said I was coming to give my all.
I stayed with Weini because I knew she was strong. I wanted her to push. But at 9.3km, I felt my legs had more energy, and I decided to go for it,” Obiri offered.
Obiri is no stranger to the New York roads, having claimed a sixth-place finish in the 2022 New York City Marathon.
The latest triumph adds to her growing road résumé, which already includes victories in the Boston and New York City Marathons.
Looking ahead, she will take a short break before resuming preparations for her next marathon.
“I will take one week off, sit with my coach, and start my program,” she said. “I wake up around 6 to start my preparations, take breakfast, and go for training. I also like doing Pilates. They are my favorite workout,” she added.
