Two-Time World 5000m Champion Obiri  Secures Victory at the NYC Half Marathon

A two-time world 5000m champion Hellen Obiri, displayed her dominance by claiming victory at the New York City Half Marathon on Sunday. 

Throughout much of the race, Obiri was engaged in a tight battle with Senbere Teferi, Ethiopia’s 2015 world silver medallist, but managed to break away just before the 15km mark to set a course record of 1:07:21 and secure the win. 

Teferi finished second with a time of 1:07:55, while Karoline Bjerkeli Grovdal, the European cross-country champion, took third place with a time of 1:09:53.

In her post-race interview, Obiri expressed her gratitude for the win and acknowledged the challenging conditions of the race due to strong winds. 

She focused on securing the win rather than setting a record time, noting that the course was difficult. Nonetheless, she managed to run sub-70, achieving her goal and bringing home victory.

The men’s race was won by world cross-country champion Jacob Kiplimo, who clocked 1:01:31, with two-time world 10,000m champion Cheptegei finishing second with a time of 1:02:09, both representing Kenya.

Meanwhile, at the Rome Marathon, Betty Chepkwony delivered a spectacular performance, beating her personal best by seven minutes and finishing with a time of 2:23:02 to claim victory in the women’s race. 

In the men’s race, Taoufik Allam of Morocco was the winner, crossing the finish line in 2:07:43, with Kenya’s Wilfred Kigen finishing second with a time of 2:08:45.

In Lille, Africa 10,000m champion Caroline Nyaga emerged victorious in the 5km race, recording a time of 14:35, edging out Mekides Abebe, who finished a close second. 

In the men’s race, Reynold Kipkorir, the world under-20 1500m champion, secured second place with a time of 13:04, as Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha missed the world record by a narrow margin, timing 12:50.