Hellen Obiri defends her crown in Boston

Zurich, Switzerland - April 15, 2024 - On Athletic Club athlete Hellen Obiri defended her marathon crown in Boston, crossing the finish line in a time of 2:22:37 and becoming the first woman since 2005 to win Boston back-to-back.

Under warmer-than-ideal weather conditions, 30,000 runners took to the start line of the 128th edition of the infamous marathon in Boston. With 19 elite women with personal bests under 2:23, and seven with personal bets under 2:19, the race for the Boston crown was well and truly on. 

Obiri was favored to win the 128th edition following her incredible feat last year—winning just her second marathon to date in Boston and then the marathon in New York later that fall, becoming the first woman in 34 years to hold both titles. 

As the race progressed, the lead female pack remained close together, not making any breakaways in the first half of the race. Towards mile 20, American marathoner Emma Bates made her move, breaking away for a short while before the remaining lead female runners managed to close the gap. 

As the race drew on, the lead pack thinned out with Obiri hanging on strong at the front of the pack alongside fellow Kenyans Sharon Lokedi and Edna Kiplagat. Obiri demonstrated a masterclass of marathon running, not letting anything break her stride and focus. With less than two miles to go, Obiri made her move, breaking away from Lokedi and ensuring that she would defend her title in Boston. 

Speaking on the win, Obiri said: “I’m super happy with the win today and to defend my title. Coming back to Boston, I knew what to expect and was able to plan my training and race strategy around my experience from last year. I’m glad it paid off as it did, and I'm looking forward to what the rest of the season will bring.” 

Obiri is one of the most decorated female athletes, being the only female athlete to win a world title in cross country, and indoor and outdoor track. In 2022, she joined the On Athletics Club, relocating to Boulder, and began her transition from track racing to marathon under the guidance of Dathan Ritzenhein. Speaking on her return to Boston, Ritzenhein said: 

“Returning to Boston as the defending champion, Hellen was under a lot of pressure to perform. She took this pressure and channeled it into her preparation and performance on the course. I couldn’t be more proud of her and her performance today. Hellen truly is a legend, and we are so happy to have her on the team.”

Obiri's victory has solidified her status as one of the top female long-distance runners in the world. Her victory in Boston will surely put her in an excellent position to be selected to represent Kenya in the marathon distance at her fourth Games. 

Cheering on from the headquarters of the Swiss sportswear brand, On Co-Founder Olivier Bernhard, said: “When we welcomed Hellen into our fold in 2022, she was already running royalty. ​ After today's convincing victory, she continues to carve out her own unique legacy. Her unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of excellence, showcased race after race, serve as a beacon of inspiration to all who have the privilege of witnessing her journey. We are profoundly grateful to count Hellen as a cherished member of both On and the On Athletic Club team. She truly embodies the power of the human spirit and inspires all of us to strive for excellence day after day.“

You can find high-resolution images for editorial purposes here © On.

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On was born in the Swiss Alps in 2010 with the mission to ignite the human spirit through movement – a mission that still guides the brand today. Fourteen years after market launch, On delivers industry-disrupting innovation in premium footwear, apparel and accessories for high-performance running, outdoor, training, all-day activities and tennis. On’s award-winning CloudTec® innovation, purposeful design and groundbreaking strides within the circular economy have attracted a fast-growing global fan base – inspiring humans to explore, discover and Dream On.

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