Hellen Obiri: Why Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet Are Kenya's Record-Breaking Powerhouses

Two-time Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri has backed Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet to blossom and redefine women’s distance running.

Obiri admitted that she has been watching the two women compete, and every time they step on the track, she is left to wonder about their capabilities.

The 2023 New York City Marathon explained that they are placing Kenya on the world map, and she is banking on them to continue surprising the world by doing what seemed impossible.

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Beatrice Chebet is just fresh from running the second-fastest 5000m of all time, just behind Gudaf Tsegay. Chebet was competing in the women’s race at the Diamond League Meeting in Rome, where she clocked 14:03.69.

Gudaf Tsegay is the world record holder over the distance, having clocked 14:00.21 to win the race at the 2023 Prefontaine Classic.

On her part, Faith Kipyegon is looking to become the first woman to run the mile under four minutes at the Diamond League Meeting in Paris on June 26. She holds the world record over the distance, having clocked 4:07.64 at the Diamond League Meeting in Monaco in 2023.

Reflecting on their dominance, Hellen Obiri, a two-time world 5000m champion, disclosed that they have all it takes to continue making history.

She pointed out that Beatrice Chebet is just inches away from breaking the 5000m world record and backed her to do it before the season ends.

Hellen Obiri also believes in Faith Kipyegon’s abilities, noting that the 1500m world record holder will certainly make history by becoming the first woman to go under four minutes in the mile.

“My goodness, those ladies are so incredible. Honestly, I can say I've been watching and then, like yesterday, she (Beatrice Chebet) raced well. I think she has all it takes to have a world record. I hope she has it soon,” Hellen Obiri said in a video shared by Letsrun.com on YouTube.

“For Faith, I think she's in good shape. I'm just waiting to see how far she can go, but I do trust she can go sub-four. She has all it takes to go sub-four.”

Hellen Obiri has praised her juniors for their dedication and achievements before, and her continued support is a strong indication that the duo is poised for even greater success.

With Hellen Obiri’s backing, all eyes will be on Faith Kipyegon to go under four seconds in the mile and Beatrice Chebet to finally get the elusive world record.