Fresh from winning the New York half marathon a fortnight ago, two-time world 5000m champion Helen Obiri has been entered for the Boston marathon slated for April 17.
This is the second marathon for the two-time Olympic silver medalist who made her debut in the classic distance last November at the New York City Marathon, where she finished sixth as compatriot Sharon Lokedi won.
Obiri, who has been training at her new base in Colorado for more than two months now, having officially relocated to the US after ditching Nike for On Athletics Club, has her work cut out in the hilly Boston course.
She goes up against reigning world champion Gotytom Gebreslase who headlines the field.
The Ethiopian is the fastest with a personal best of 2:18:11 clocked at the Eugene championship last year.
The 27-year-old won the 2021 Berlin Marathon in her debut at the distance and has finished on the podium at the WMM events she has competed in, placing third in both the Tokyo and New York City Marathons in 2022.
Also in contention will be 2022 New York City Marathon champion Lokedi with Mary Ngugi and Edna Kiplagat all set to compete for a podium place.
Obiri heads to Boston after a stellar first quarter of the year where she started her 2023 season by winning UAE’s RAK Half Marathon in February in 65:05.
She followed that up with a 67:21 course record at the New York City Half Marathon two weeks ago.
The men’s race is headlined by world record holder Eliud Kipchoge who will be making his debut in Boston.
Defending champion Evans Chebet, 2021 winner Benson Kipruto and two-time champion Victor Lelisa Desisa will be part of a historically deep men’s elite race.
