Hellen Obiri praises Sifan Hassan for her wins.

Two-time Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri shared that she realised Sifan Hassan was going to win the race. 

Despite her attempts to distance herself from Hassan and Tigst Assefa, she could not do so as they reached the final stages of the marathon. 

Obiri, who won the 2023 New York City Marathon, explained that she had a feeling with 800m to go that Hassan would emerge victorious. 

She acknowledged that Hassan’s speed, acquired from previous bronze wins in the 5000m and 10,000m, would surpass her own and Assefa’s capabilities.

“Yes, I did it a couple of times because I knew if we came closer like with 800m to go, Sifan was there and she was good so we tried our best to push the pace but you know she was there and there was no way we could break her,” Obiri said.

“In the end, I knew she would carry the day because of her sprint finish. She has done so well in the 5000m, 10,000m and 1500m and so she was capable of winning in a sprint finish,” she added.

Obiri was amazed by Hassan’s performance at the Olympics. 

The Dutch runner set an Olympic record by winning the marathon in 2: 22:55. 

Assefa and Obiri finished second and third with times of 2:22:58 and 2:23:10 respectively.

Obiri, a former world 10,000m silver medalist, explained that Hassan is an inspiration to many athletes who aspire to make a name for themselves.

“She is so amazing, doing track and the marathon. So many people can’t do that but Sifan has shown the world that she can do that,” she said.

“People thought it was impossible for her but she has done it and it’s a big up to her, she has inspired so many athletes who work hard towards achieving such goals.”

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