Hellen Obiri, a two-time world 5000-meter champion, will defend her title at the 128th Boston Marathon on April 15.
Obiri won the race in 2:21:38 the previous year, which prepared her for a World Marathon Majors double when she went on to win the New York City Marathon in November.
Nineteen women, including Olympians and World Marathon Majors winners, will compete in Hopkinton to win the Open Division title. Their personal best times are under 2:23:00.
The 34-year-old Obiri, who is expected to represent Kenya at the Olympics in Paris in August, is scheduled to begin her 2024 season on January 14 at the Houston Half Marathon, which is expected to take place before the Boston race.
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“I am excited to return to the 2024 Boston Marathon to try to defend my title,” said Obiri. “Boston is an historic race and I would like to add my name further to its history on April 15. Winning such an historic marathon with my family waiting at the finish line was an amazing experience.”
Obiri will be accompanied by fellow countrymen Judith Korir, who won the world silver medal twice; Edna Kiplagat, who won the race twice; Sharon Lokedi, who won the New York City Marathon once; Mary Ngugi, who finished in the top ten four times, and Helah Kiprop.
The 2019 world champion Worknesh Degefa, the world silver medallist Senbere Teferi, and the 2022 runner-up Ababel Yeshaneh are among the Ethiopian rivals that Kenya will compete against.
Six years after taking home the 2018 title, Desiree Linden serves as the leader of the American team. With five top-five finishes, Linden owns the third-fastest American time ever on the Hopkinton to Boston course (2:22:38).
“The Boston Marathon is proud to showcase the world’s best athletes year in and year out on Patriots’ Day,” said Jack Fleming, President and CEO of the Boston Athletic Association. “This year’s women’s field is exceptionally fast and showcases many who’ve been podium finishers on the global stage. It’ll make for an exciting race from Hopkinton to Boston, and we look forward to crowning our champions on April 15.”
