Sheila Chepkirui delivered an outstanding performance at the Nagoya Marathon on Sunday, March 9, surpassing expectations to claim victory in one of the world’s most competitive races.
The Kenyan runner crossed the finish line in 2:20:40, securing the title in a race that saw tough competition from elite athletes. Her closest competitor, Japan’s Sayaka Sato, finished just 19 seconds later with a personal best time of 2:20:59.
Chepkirui’s win was not just about securing the top position; it was also about making history in the world’s richest women’s marathon.The Nagoya Women’s Marathon, which was first held in 2012, has grown into one of the most prestigious races globally.
Recently, Guinness World Records recognized it as the largest women’s marathon, attracting top athletes from different countries.
It is also the only women-only race that has earned the World Athletics Platinum Label, making it a highly respected event. One of the reasons for its popularity is the massive prize money, with the winner taking home USD 250,000, which is approximately KSh32 million.
This makes it the most lucrative marathon for women, drawing intense competition among elite long-distance runners.
The race started with an unpredictable pace, with runners adjusting their strategies as they progressed. However, by the halfway mark, Sheila Chepkirui had already shown her determination to win. Among her toughest challengers was Eunice Chumba, a Kenyan-born athlete competing for Bahrain.
The Japanese team, which included Sayaka Sato, Rika Kaseda, Natsuki Omori, and Mao Uesugi, also put up a strong fight. As the race continued, some of the athletes started to drop back, allowing Chepkirui to create a gap between herself and the chasing pack.
Chumba and Sato remained in close pursuit, engaged in their own battle for second place. Eventually, Sato pulled ahead to take the runner-up position, while Chumba finished third.
Chepkirui’s win further solidifies her place among Kenya’s top marathon runners. To put her achievement into perspective, she only ran her first marathon in 2022 at the Valencia Marathon, where she clocked an impressive time of 2:17:29.
Her remarkable performance there established her as one of the strongest contenders in international long-distance running.
Heading into the Nagoya Marathon, she was already considered the fastest entrant, and she lived up to the expectations by delivering a dominant run.
Her triumph in Nagoya comes just four months after another major victory in the New York City Marathon, where she surprised many by defeating her fellow Kenyan competitor, Hellen Obiri. Obiri, a highly accomplished athlete, was widely expected to win, but Chepkirui proved her strength by taking the title.
Her recent performances show that she is not only consistent but also a serious contender in the global marathon scene. Winning such high-profile races back-to-back demonstrates her exceptional endurance, strategy, and ability to handle pressure on the big stage.With her latest win, Sheila Chepkirui has once again put Kenya on the global athletics map.
Her victory in Nagoya is a testament to the country’s dominance in long-distance running. As she continues to improve and take on new challenges, the world will be watching to see how far she can go.
With her talent and determination, she is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with in women’s marathon running.
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