Hellen Obiri running shoe sponsor, On Running, has released a documentary detailing how the Kenyan athlete prepared for her maiden Marathon.
Obiri took part in her first marathon at the TSC New York City Marathon on November 6, 2022.
According to the documentary, the athlete travelled halfway around the world to train before making her debut in the marathon race.
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Two months before the New York Marathon, Obiri was training in Nairobi before she moved to Colorado, USA, for further training.
In the documentary, one of her physios notes that during their sessions, she used to talk with her daughter, and after the calls, she would go to a corner and pray.
“I know Hellen is stronger mentally because of the tribe she comes from. From a time when they were young, they were taught to be very mentally strong.
“Leaving your family is one of the rearrest things you hear about a Kenyan woman doing especially leaving your child to come here (USA) and train,” her therapist noted.
On the last day before the race, her coach took her to the city so that she could get familiar with the course.
“We went on a run to see the last few miles of the course. It was an opportunity for her to see herself exiting the park and coming to the finish.
The coach highlighted that Obiri slowed her pace after the 35km mark, noting that she was dehydrated and that her legs were cramping after the race.
It forced them to carry her in her wheelchair to get medical treatment.
Obiri has had a successful running career, having competed in the 1500m, 3000m, 5000m and 10,000m, becoming the only woman to win a world title in indoor track, outdoor track and cross-country.
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