Hellen Obiri is second in Women’s race in London

Hellen Obiri second in Women’s race

The women’s race was magnificent – predictable yet unpredictable.  It was clear from an early stage that the three pre-race favorites: Tigist Assefa, Hellen Obiri, and Joyciline Jepkosgei would produce the winner, but which one? Assefa was the defending London champion. Obiri is a former winner in New York and Boston, but running London for the first time. Jepkesgoi a previous winner in London as well as twice second. A trio of talent.

The three went with the pacemakers – until one, then two of the pacemakers, could not live with their own pace.  All three athletes looked strong. They could not be separated until the final half mile. Then Jepkesgoi began to slip behind the other two.  In sight of Buckingham Palace and the final stretch, Tiggy found extra energy and opened up a small gap, which Obiri could not close.

The final result was:

1Tigst Assefa  (women only WR*) 2:15:41

2 Hellen Obiri  2:15:53

3 Joyciline Jepkesgoi. 2:15:55

* (There is a separate world record where women run with men or have a male pace-maker).

This was the third consecutive year that the women-only world record had fallen at the TCS London Marathon, with Assefa (2:15:50 – 2025) and Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir (2:16:16 – 2024) holding the previous best marks.

Interestingly, afterward, Hellen said that she found the first half of the race difficult. She added that she was sure that they could have run below 2:15 if the three had worked together, but that the others were fighting for position, not for a fast time. She said she had been telling the other two, “Come on, help me.”  In the last mile, Hellen said she was trying to speed up, but there was nothing left in her legs. Before turning to the Marathon, she had a magnificent track career: twice World Champion and twice Olympic silver at 5000, World medalist at 1500, 5000, and 10000, World Cross Country Champion, Olympic medalist at 5000 (twice) and Marathon; World Relays 4 X 1500 winner. 

Remarkably, for a Kenyan, she also won World Indoor gold and silver at 3000m – she told me running indoors was the same as running outdoors – just twice as many laps!

Beyond that, she is a fine human being. I once interviewed Mary Moraa, who told me that at an early stage of her career, she did not have the right running shoes, but that Hellen heard about it and sent her a pair. A lovely story.

Finally, I need to tell you that Hellen and I have a “previous”.  Years ago, at a Birmingham Diamond League, I went to the gym in the event hotel to run on a treadmill and found Hellen on the one next to mine.  The next morning, I went again, and again, there was Hellen on the treadmill. She started calling me her training partner.  Sadly, our careers have gone in opposite directions since.