Hellen Onsando Obiri, born on 13 December 1989, is a Kenyan middle- and long-distance runner who hails from Kisii in south-western Kenya.
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Obiri was recruited as a 200 and 400 metres sprinter to attend Riruta Central Secondary School in Nairobi at age 14.
In 2006/2007, she stopped running in order to focus on her studies but started running again when she joined the military.
In 2009, she graduated from Kenya Defence Forces Recruit Training School in Eldoret.
A year later, she participated in her first major race at the 2010 Kenya Armed Forces Cross Country Championships, where she finished 32nd.
She placed fifth after some training the following year.
A member of the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), Obiri gained her first international experience at the 2011 Military World Games in Rio de Janeiro, where she won the bronze medal for the 800 metres and placed fourth in the 1500 metres.
She debuted in the World Championships in Athletics held in 2011 in Daegu, South Korea the following month, competing at the latter distance.
Hellen Obiri age
How old is Hellen Obiri? Obiri was born on 13 December 1989 and is 33 years.
Hellen Obiri height
How tall is Hellen Obiri? Obiri is 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) tall.
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Hellen Obiri weight
How much does Hellen Obiri weight? Obiri weighs 50 kg (110 lb).
Hellen Obiri family
Obiri is the fourth child in a family of six children.
Her father is Mzee Isaac Obiri. She is yet to provide infoirmation about her mother (and siblings, if any).
She is married to Tom Nyaundi, a former runner, and they have a daughter, Tania ‘Blessing’ Macheche, born in May 2015 through caesarean section.
Hellen Obiri medals
Which medals has Hellen Obiri won so far?
The only woman to have won world titles in indoor track, outdoor track and cross country, Obiri is a two-time Olympic 5000 metres silver medallist from the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she also placed fourth over the 10,000 metres.
She is a two-time world champion after winning the 5000 m in 2017 and again in 2019, when she set a new championship record. She was cited as one of the Top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine in 2017.
She won the 3000 metres race at the 2012 World Indoor Championships, claimed silver in 2014, and placed fourth in 2018.
She is the 2019 World Cross Country champion.
Obiri is the Kenyan national record holder for the mile, 3000 metres both indoors and out, and 5000 metres.
Obiri also took world bronze for the 1500 metres in 2013 and silver in the 10,000 m in 2022.
Obiri won the 2023 Boston Marathon, her second marathon race and places fifth in the half marathon on the world all-time list.
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