Helen Obiri is second in the women’s race in London

Helen Obiri is second in the women’s race

The women’s race was great – predictable yet unpredictable. It was clear from the early stages that the three pre-race favourites, Tigist Assefa, Helen Obiri and Joycelyn Jepkosgei, would be the winners, but which one? Asefa was the defending champion in London. Obiri is a previous winner in New York and Boston, but this is London’s first time in charge. Jepkesgoi was a previous winner in London as well as a two-time runner-up. A trio of talent.

Three went with pacemakers until one, then two, could not live with their pace. All three athletes looked strong. They couldn’t be separated until the last half mile. Then Jepkesgoi started to slide after the other two. With Buckingham Palace and the final stretch in sight, Teague found some extra energy and opened up a small gap that Obiri couldn’t close.

The final result was as follows.

1Tigst Assefa (women only WR*) 2:15:41

2 Bright Obiri 2:15:53

3 Joyceline Jepkesgoi. 2:15:55

* (There is a separate world record where women run with men or have a male pacer).

It was the third consecutive year that only the women’s world record has fallen at the TCS London Marathon, with Asefa (2:15:50 – 2025) and Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir (2:16:16 – 2024) holding the previous best marks.

Interestingly, afterwards Helen said she found the first half of the race difficult. He added that he was sure they could have run under 2:15 if the three had worked together, but the others were fighting for position, not a fast time. He said he was telling the other two. “Come help me!” In the last mile, Helen said she was trying to speed up, but her legs had nothing left. Before turning to the marathon, she had an outstanding track career: two-time World Champion and two-time Olympic silver in the 5000, World medalist in the 1500, 5000 and 10000, World Champion, Olympic medalist in the 5000 (twice) and in the marathon; World Relays 4 X 1500 winner.

Notably, for a Kenyan, he also won World Indoor gold and silver in the 3000m; he told me that running inside is the same as running outside; just twice as many regions.

Other than that, he’s a good person. I once interviewed Mary Moraa, who told me that early in her career she didn’t have the right running shoes, but Helen heard about it and sent her a pair. Nice story.

Finally, I have to tell you that Helen and I have a “predecessor”. Years ago, at the Diamond League in Birmingham, I went to the gym at the event hotel to run on the treadmill and found Helen on the one next to me. Next morning, I went again and it was Helen on the treadmill again. He started calling me his training partner. Unfortunately, our careers have since gone in opposite directions.