We met Sheila Chepkirui in September 2023 during a training run in Tiergarten, just a few days before the 2023 Berlin Marathon. Running back and forth along the same path with Kenyan runners, we struck up a conversation. "How’s your preparation?" I asked. She laughed nervously, admitting that everyone kept asking her the same thing, expecting just one answer. She felt the pressure of these high expectations but wasn’t ready to win a marathon just yet. I understood, and we switched to discussing the marathon atmosphere and her impressions of Berlin.
Silver at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.
The Berlin Marathon confirmed her words. Despite the lack of experience and external pressure, Sheila Chepkirui finished second, trailing the winner, Tigst Assefa, by about six minutes. Assefa put on an outstanding performance, setting a women’s world record with a time of 2:11:53.
Victory at the New York Marathon.
Almost a year went by, with Sheila missing the Paris Olympics and finishing sixth in London in April. Nobody was betting on her in New York, and the lack of high expectations clearly worked in her favor. New York was her day and her race. Staying just behind last year’s New York and Boston Marathon champion Helen Obiri until the 20 km mark, Sheila was able to pick up the pace in the second half and, in the final 2 kilometers, pulled confidently ahead. She won with a time of 2:24:35.
This was Sheila Chepkirui’s first professional marathon victory. Along with the win, she earned a prize of $100,000.
Congratulations to Sheila on her incredible performance and well-earned prize!
The OMY! Sports Team
Silver at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.
The Berlin Marathon confirmed her words. Despite the lack of experience and external pressure, Sheila Chepkirui finished second, trailing the winner, Tigst Assefa, by about six minutes. Assefa put on an outstanding performance, setting a women’s world record with a time of 2:11:53.
Victory at the New York Marathon.
Almost a year went by, with Sheila missing the Paris Olympics and finishing sixth in London in April. Nobody was betting on her in New York, and the lack of high expectations clearly worked in her favor. New York was her day and her race. Staying just behind last year’s New York and Boston Marathon champion Helen Obiri until the 20 km mark, Sheila was able to pick up the pace in the second half and, in the final 2 kilometers, pulled confidently ahead. She won with a time of 2:24:35.
This was Sheila Chepkirui’s first professional marathon victory. Along with the win, she earned a prize of $100,000.
Congratulations to Sheila on her incredible performance and well-earned prize!
The OMY! Sports Team