Kenya Airforce Commander meets US-based Kenyan marathoner Hellen Obiri
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 14.01.25. | 16:40
Following her stellar performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she was promoted to Senior Sergeant
The Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Airforce Fatuma Ahmed welcomed Boston Marathon defending champion Hellen Obiri to the Kenya Airforce Headquarters in Nairobi.
Obiri, who also serves in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Airforce, was celebrated for her remarkable athletic achievements and commitment to her duties as an Air Force officer.
The 35-year-old has steadily risen through the ranks in her dual careers.
Following her stellar performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she was promoted to Senior Sergeant.
Her 2023 Boston Marathon victory earned her the prestigious title of Air Force Sergeant Major Warrant Officer II.
Returning to Kenya for the first time since June, Obiri is gearing up for a rigorous 10-week training program in Ngong, Kajiado County.
She aims to secure a third consecutive win at the Boston Marathon on Sunday 21 April. Known for its hilly terrain, Ngong offers a unique advantage that complements the climatic conditions of Boulder, Colorado, her training base in the United States.
"I am glad to be back home. The training regime and terrains in Ngong will be crucial for my hat-trick campaign. I am ready for Boston, but being ready calls for working extra hard," Obiri said in an interview with Nation Sports.
The marathoner emphasized the importance of teamwork and mutual support among her training partners.
A successful defense of her Boston Marathon title would bolster Obiri's bid to join Team Kenya for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.
Reflecting on her marathon journey, Obiri noted that she expected stiff competition for a Team Kenya slot. Despite that, she promised to put her best foot forward.
"Competition for places in Team Kenya is always stiff, but I will wholeheartedly take that opportunity if given,” she averred.
Obiri also recounted her Olympic marathon debut in Paris, where she claimed bronze despite battling a hip injury.
"It's rare to win an Olympic medal, so bronze was fine for me, even though my target was gold," she remarked.
The injury, which sidelined her for six weeks after her Boston victory, limited her training to just a few weeks before the Olympics. Nevertheless, she clocked an impressive 2:23:10, finishing behind Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan and Ethiopian Tigist Assefa.
Obiri's 2024 season was marked by extraordinary achievements, including victories at the Ras Al Khaimah and New York City Half Marathons and her Boston triumph.
However, her packed schedule took a toll, culminating in a second-place finish at the New York City Marathon in November.
"Running three marathons in a season to secure podium finishes in all wasn't an easy thing. Olympic marathons have always been tough, and the New York City Marathon course is punishing," she shared.
Photos Courtesy of KDF Info
