22 Facts About Hellen Obiri

Hellen Onsando Obiri was born on 13 December 1989 and is a Kenyan middle- and long-distance runner.

Hellen Obiri is the only woman to have won world titles in indoor track, outdoor track and cross country.

Hellen Obiri won the 3,000 metres race at the 2012 World Indoor Championships, claimed silver in 2014, and placed fourth in 2018.

Hellen Obiri triumphed in the 2023 Boston Marathon, her second marathon race.

Hellen Obiri won a bronze medal in the 2024 Summer Olympics in the Women's marathon.

Hellen Obiri is the former Kenyan national record holder for the mile and the 5000 metres.

Hellen Obiri was cited as one of the Top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine in 2017.

Hellen Obiri only re-engaged with athletics to join the military.

In 2009, Hellen Obiri graduated from Kenya Defence Forces Recruit Training School in Eldoret.

Hellen Obiri placed fifth after some training the following year.

Hellen Obiri is a member of the Kenya Defense Forces.

Hellen Obiri is married to Tom Nyaundi, a former runner, and they have a daughter, Tania 'Blessing' Macheche, born in May 2015 through caesarean section.

Hellen Obiri gained her first international experience at the 2011 Military World Games in Rio de Janeiro, where she won the bronze medal for the 800 metres and placed fourth in the 1500 metres.

Hellen Obiri debuted in the World Championships in Athletics held in 2011 in Daegu, South Korea the following month, competing at the latter distance.

Hellen Obiri set a personal best time of 4:07.59 in the heats but fell in the final, bringing pre-event favourite Morgan Uceny down with her, and finished 10th.

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Hellen Obiri competed in the 5000 metres and earned the silver medal in a time of 14:29.77, behind compatriot Vivian Cheruiyot in an Olympic record of 14:26.17 and ahead of Ethiopia's Almaz Ayana who ran 14:33.59.

Hellen Obiri represented Kenya at the 2017 World Championships in London in the same event and won the gold medal with a time of 14:34.86, ahead of Ayana and Sifan Hassan.

Hellen Obiri won the silver medal at the former in a time of 14:38.36, finishing behind only Hassan who ran 14:36.79; Gudaf Tsegay took bronze in 14:38.87.

Hellen Obiri was beaten to gold by Gidey in a close finish.

Hellen Obiri capped her fine 2022 season in November debuting in the marathon at the New York City Marathon, where she placed sixth.

Hellen Obiri won with a personal best time of 2:21:38,12 seconds clear of second-place finisher Amane Beriso who had by far the fastest personal best heading into the race.

Hellen Obiri went on to win the 2023 New York City Marathon in a time of 2:25:49.