Obiri fires early warning shots ahead of London Marathon debut

Hellen Obiri/ HANDOUT 

Two-time New York City Marathon champion Hellen Obiri laid down an early marker ahead of her highly anticipated debut at the London Marathon next month, producing a devastating late surge to reclaim the New York City Half Marathon title on Sunday.

‎The Kenyan distance star unleashed her trademark finishing kick in the closing stages to stop the clock at 1:06:33.

‎‎Defending champion Sharon Lokedi settled for second in 1:07:10, while Britain’s Megan Keith completed the podium in 1:07:13.‎

‎Obiri had previously captured the 2023 New York City Half Marathon crown in 1:07:21, surging clear in the latter stages to defeat Ethiopia’s Senbere Teferi (1:07:55) and Norway’s Karoline Bjerkeli Grovdal (1:09:53).

‎Sunday’s triumph offered the perfect sharpening run for the Kenyan powerhouse as she builds momentum towards her appearance in London in April.

‎Obiri heads into the London Marathon with an imposing marathon resume. 

She has already conquered the New York marathon twice, winning the race in 2023 and 2025, while also claiming back-to-back victories at the Boston Marathon in 2023 and 2024.

‎‎Her consistency over the classic 42km distance is equally impressive, highlighted by runner-up finishes at the New York marathon in 2024 and the Boston marathon in 2025.

‎‎The London start line is expected to produce fireworks, with Obiri set to lock horns with women’s-only marathon world record holder Tigst Assefa, reigning world champion Peres Jepchirchir, Dutch distance sensation Sifan Hassan and former half marathon world record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei.

Lokedi hoped to defend the title she won last year, where she clocked 1:07:04.

‎‎In that edition, the Kenyan unleashed a late sprint to drop American Fiona O’Keeffe (1:07:46) and Britain’s Calli Hauger-Thackery (1:07:49).

‎‎Despite her pedigree on the roads, Lokedi remains relatively new to the 21km distance.

‎‎She made her half-marathon debut at the Great North Run in 2021, finishing fourth in 1:09:53, before returning to New York in 2022, where she again placed fourth in 1:08:14.

‎That race was won by Ethiopia’s Senbere Teferi in 1:07:35, with Kenya’s Irene Cheptai second in 1:07:37 and Norway’s Karoline Bjerkeli Grovdal third in 1:08:07.

‎‎Lokedi’s most recent outing over the distance came at the Copenhagen Half Marathon in September last year, where she placed second in 1:05:00, behind Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw, who won in 1:04:44.

‎‎In the men’s race, South Africa’s Adriaan Wildschutt powered to victory in 59:30, holding off American Zouhair Talbi, who clocked 59:41, while India’s Gulveer Singh sealed third place in 59:42.