HELLEN OBIRI
| DATE OF BIRTH | December 13, 1989 |
| GENDER | Female |
| OCCUPATION | Athlete |
Biography
Hellen Obiri is a middle and long-distance runner, a member of the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), and a business lady. Obiri came to the spotlight in 2011 when she won a bronze medal at the Military World Games in Rio de Janeiro.
She set a new championship in the 5000 m race in 2017 and defended the title in 2017.
Hellen Obiri Education
For her early education, she enrolled at Ekeonga Primary School. Later on, she proceeded to Riruta Central Secondary School in Nairobi.
She was an active marathoner during her primary and secondary school years. Later, she lost interest in athletics and focused more on her studies.
Career
Hellen’s father wanted her to pursue a career in athletics when she was a little girl. At the age of 14, she represented her school in the 200 metres and 400 metres during the national athletics competitions.
Her first major race was in the 2010 Kenya Armed Forces Cross Country Championships, where she completed in the 32nd position.
The following year, she took part in the same race and emerged 5th after some training. Noah Ngeny advised her to focus on middle-distance races.
She qualified for the 2011 World Championships in Daegu. During the event, she set her personal best time but did not get to the finals.
The biggest break in her career came in 2012 when she won the world indoor 3000m title. Since that time, she has won several races.
Military Career
Hellen serves in the Kenya Defence Forces, specifically in the Air Force. Following the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she was promoted to Senior Sergeant.
Following her victory at the 2023 Boston Marathon earned her another promotion, this time to Air Force Sergeant Major Warrant Officer II.
Awards
Obiri has received several prestigious accolades, including the Kenya Sports Personality of the Year Award (SOYA) for Sportswoman of the Year in 2019 and was recognized by Athletics Kenya as the Female Athlete of the Year in 2017.
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