Kenya’s Hellen Obiri continued to showcase her exceptional form this year as she dominated the women’s Boston 10km race on Sunday, leading a remarkable Kenyan podium sweep.
Obiri, who previously claimed the Boston Marathon title in April, crossed the finish line with an impressive time of 31 minutes and 21 seconds.
She established her frontrunning prowess right from the start, building a commanding 13-second lead by the 5K mark. However, the hot and humid conditions began to take a toll on the double Olympic medalist as the race progressed.
Reflecting on her performance, Obiri admitted, “At 8K, my body was so tired. Maybe I went out too hard from the start. The ladies coming from behind were so strong. But I say, I’m also the best. I can try to win.” Despite the challenges, Obiri’s determination and skill allowed her to secure the victory.
Expressing her joy, Obiri stated, “I’m so happy about the result. I wanted to run in the 30s [minutes], but unfortunately, the weather was too hot and humid. But I am so happy for the win today.”
She also credited the enthusiastic support from the Boston running community, which fueled her motivation throughout the race. “The crowd was so friendly; all the way, they said, ‘Go Hellen!’ You get that energy; you want to race hard so that you don’t let your fans down,” Obiri added with a smile.
In the men’s category, Gabriel Geay of Tanzania clinched the title, completing the race in an impressive time of 27 minutes and 49 seconds. Kenyan athletes Edwin Kurgat and Alex Masai secured second and third place respectively, showcasing their exceptional talent on the international stage.
The Kenyan athletes’ outstanding performance at the Boston 10km race further solidifies their reputation as some of the world’s finest long-distance runners.
Their success is a testament to their dedication, hard work, and remarkable talent within the Kenyan running community.
