Sheila Chepkirui reveals main motivation behind her dominant

Sheila Chepkirui has revealed that going into the race knowing that she was the best in the field gave her motivation to outsmart Hellen Obiri and Co and take the New York City Marathon title.

Sheila Chepkirui oozed class at the 2024 edition of the New York City Marathon to claim top honours despite entering the race as an underdog.

The Commonwealth Games 10,000m bronze medallist outsprinted defending champion Hellen Obiri as they approached the finish line to take the surprise win in the race.

Sheila Chepkirui clocked a stunning 2:24:35 to cross the finish line. Two-time Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri finished second in the race, clocking 2:24:49 as Vivian Cheruiyot rounded up the podium in the race in a time of 2:25:21.

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In an interview with Good Morning America, Sheila Chepkirui explained that she had the pressure to deliver since going into the race, she was the fastest in the field. She added that being the fastest in the field was also a motivating factor as she strode to victory in the race.

“When I came here I was the best, I had run 2:17:29 and I told myself I had to do my best since I was the fastest in the field. I had to be the best to cross the finish line,” Sheila Chepkirui said.

Sheila Chepkirui is now glad to have capped her season off with high honours. She started her season with a second-place finish at the 76th Kagawa Marugame International Half Marathon.

She proceeded to finish 10th in the senior women’s race at the Kenyan Cross-Country Championships. Sheila Chepkirui then finished sixth at the London Marathon in a time of 2:19:31.

Competing at the Mastercard New York Mini 10K, Sheila Chepkirui went on to finish third and then finished fourth at the Great North Run before ending her season with a dominant win at the New York City Marathon.

Sheila Chepkirui made her full marathon debut at the 2022 Valencia Marathon where she clocked her personal best time of 2:17:29. In 2023, she finished fourth at the London Marathon before finishing second at the Berlin Marathon.

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