Sheila Chepkirui, the 2024 New York Marathon champion, aims for a sub-2:20 performance as she defends her title at the Nagoya Women’s Marathon this Sunday. Last year, she secured victory in 2:20:40, outpacing Japan’s Sayaka Sato (2:20:59) and Bahrain’s Eunice Chumba (2:21:35).
“My goal is to defend my title,” Chepkirui stated at the pre-race press conference, noting that favorable weather conditions could propel her to a faster time. “If the weather is good, I will aim for 2:20 or under.”
The 35-year-old confirmed her training remains consistent with last year’s regimen, focusing primarily on gym work.
Chepkirui’s 2025 season has been mixed. After winning at Nagoya, she shifted to the track, finishing seventh in the 5,000m at the Kenya Defence Forces championships with a time of 15:57.5, behind Joyciline Jepkosgei (15:23.6), Daisilah Jerono (15:28.8), and Esther Chemtai (15:36.1). She rebounded with a strong performance, winning the 10,000m in 33:34.14.
On the roads, she placed seventh in the Boston 10K with a time of 32:17, as compatriots Sharon Lokedi and Gladys Kwamboka took first and second. Chepkirui later triumphed at the Great North Run Half Marathon in 1:09:32, leading Vivian Cheruiyot (1:09:37) and Eilish McColgan (1:09:42).
She capped her year with a third-place finish at the New York Marathon, where Kenyan women swept the podium, with Hellen Obiri and Sharon Lokedi taking first and second.
In Nagoya, Chepkirui will face strong competitors, including Ethiopia’s Aynalem Desta, fresh off her Amsterdam marathon win, and last year’s third-place finisher, Eunice Chumba. She will also be joined by Selly Kaptich, the 2022 Frankfurt Marathon champion, enhancing the Kenyan presence in the race.
