Sheila Chepkirui, after her Nagoya women's marathon victory/ HANDOUT 

‎The 2024 New York Marathon champion Sheila Chepkirui tightened her grip on the Nagoya Women's Marathon title, storming through the Japanese streets on Sunday morning to claim back-to-back victories in commanding fashion.

‎Chepkirui clocked 2:21:54, producing a fierce late surge to outkick host favourite Sayaka Sato, who settled for second in 2:21:56, while Ethiopia’s Aynalem Desta completed the podium in 2:22:37.

‎It marked another successful outing for the 35-year-old Kenyan road specialist, who had captured last year’s crown in 2:20:40. ‎In that 2025 edition, Chepkirui also relied on a sharp finishing kick to shake off Sato, who timed 2:20:59 for second, while Bahrain’s Eunice Chumba rounded off the podium in 2:21:35.

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‎The Kenyan star was delighted with her latest triumph on Japanese soil. ‎“My race was so good, and I am very grateful for that,” Chepkirui said. ‎She also reflected on her remarkable progression in the Nagoya showpiece. ‎“I came here in 2024 to pace. Last year, I won the race, and now I have defended my title. I am so happy,” she added.

‎At the 2024 edition, Chepkirui had served as a pacemaker in a race won by Japan’s Yuka Ando, who triumphed in 2:21:18 ahead of Chumba (2:21:25) and fellow Japanese runner Ayuko Suzuki (2:21:33). Despite the victory, the Kenyan distance ace admitted the conditions were far from ideal.

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‎“The wind was very strong; it was a bit higher than in previous years. It needed a strong mind, which I had up to the finish line,” she noted. 

‎Chepkirui revealed she executed a patient wait-and-kick strategy, conserving energy before launching her decisive move in the closing kilometres.

‎‎“After the pacemaker dropped at 25km, we were about five. In my mind, I said we should help each other,” she explained. ‎“So we worked together until around 39km, then I made my move because the winner should just be one.”

‎‎After her successful defence, Chepkirui plans to briefly step away from competition before plotting her next assignment. ‎“For now, I will go back home to rest, then talk with my management so we can decide my next race.”

‎Chepkirui arrived in Nagoya after a mixed 2025 campaign. ‎After opening that season with victory in Nagoya, the seasoned marathoner briefly switched to the track, lining up for the 5,000m at the Kenya Defence Forces Championships, where she finished seventh in 15:57.5. The race was won by Joyciline Jepkosgei in 15:23.6, ahead of Daisilah Jerono (15:28.8) and Esther Chemtai (15:36.1).

‎However, Chepkirui quickly bounced back over the longer distance at the same championships, claiming the 10,000m title in 33:34.14. ‎She then returned to the roads, finishing seventh at the Boston 10K in 32:17.

‎Compatriots Sharon Lokedi (31:39) and Gladys Kwamboka (31:39) claimed first and second, respectively, while American Emily Sisson completed the podium in 31:42.

‎Chepkirui later bounced back in style at the Great North Run half-marathon in Britain, powering to victory in 1:09:32 ahead of Vivian Cheruiyot (1:09:37) and Briton Eilish McColgan (1:09:42). ‎The seasoned long-distance ace then capped her season with a podium finish at the New York City Marathon, placing third (2:20:24) in a race where Kenyan women swept the podium. ‎Hellen Obiri won that race in 2:19:51, with Lokedi finishing second in 2:20:07.

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