'I Was So Afraid' - Hellen Obiri Reveals the Rival Who Haunted Her Before Breaking NYC Marathon Record

Hellen Obiri has opened up about her mindset at the starting line of the women’s race at the New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 2.

The two-time Boston Marathon champion would eventually claim the win in a course record time of 2:19:51. Her time obliterated the course record of 2:22:31 set by her compatriot Margaret Okayo in 2003.

Sharon Lokedi came in second in the race, crossing the finish line in 2:20:07 ahead of Sheila Chepkirui, who sealed the podium in 2:20:24. They both also impressively finished under the old course record.

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However, the journey to claiming top honours was not a walk in the park for Hellen Obiri, who admitted that she was intimidated by the strong field that had been assembled.

Hellen Obiri admitted that she was most afraid of Sifan Hassan, who was just fresh from winning the Sydney Marathon and had finished third at the London Marathon earlier this year.

Sifan Hassan had also beaten Hellen Obiri at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024, winning the title ahead of Hellen Obiri, who secured a bronze medal.

Hellen Obiri further pointed out that she was also aware of the threats posed by Sharon Lokedi, the 2022 winner and Sheila Chepkirui, who won the title in 2021.

“When I was at the start line, you know, Sifan was there, actually, I was so afraid, like Sifan is coming from Sydney, she's so strong. She beat us at the Olympic Games, which was in my mind,” Hellen Obiri said in the post-race press conference.

“Sheila was also there; she won New York last year. Sharon has also won New York, so I was like, we have four ladies here. I just wanted to win or even finish on the podium because it would be very incredible.”

Hellen Obiri further reflected on her victory, describing how the women’s race began at a fast pace, with her and her fellow Kenyans, Sheila Chepkirui and Sharon Lokedi**, working together in the early stages.

She revealed that the trio encouraged and pushed one another through much of the course before she made her decisive move in Central Park, about four miles from the finish, determined to prove she was the strongest on the day.

Hellen Obiri explained that her focus was entirely on securing the win rather than chasing time, drawing confidence from the intense training and long runs that had prepared her for the moment.

Trusting her coaches’ belief that she was in peak form, she decided to push harder in the closing stretch, aware of Sharon Lokedi’s strong finish, and ultimately surged ahead to seal her triumph in New York.

“When we started the race, it was so fast. We were helping each other. Sheila was talking to me and was saying we just tried to go. Sharon was here, and I was trying to talk with her. So we were trying to help each other, and when we hit Central Park, about 4 miles to go, I was like, I will try and prove that I’m the best,” Hellen Obiri added.

“It's all about winning, it's not about the time and in my mind was like if I win, I don't care about the time. I remembered the training I did, the long runs I did, because the coaches were telling me that I’m in the best shape of my life of which I trusted.”

Despite facing a formidable field and moments of doubt at the start line, her belief in her preparation and ability proved decisive.

For Hellen Obiri, the victory was more than just a record-breaking run, it was a statement of resilience, trust in hard work, and the power of self-belief on one of the sport’s grandest stages.