- Sheila Chepkirui is the only Kenyan who will take part in the 2025 Nagoya Women’s Marathon.
- Chepkirui is expected to battle it out for the top prize with the likes of Ethiopia’s Ruti Aga.
- The 2025 Nagoya Women’s Marathon will be held on Sunday, March 3.
Sheila Chepkirui will carry Kenya’s flag in the 2025 Nagoya Women’s Marathon that will take place on Sunday, March 9 in Japan.
Chepkirui, who is the only Kenyan elite runner confirmed for the event, heads to Japan with the hopes of clinching the coveted title that has been previously won by her fellow countrywoman Ruth Chepngetich.
Chepngetich clocked a course record time of 2:17.18 to secure the title in the 2022 edition ahead of Kenya born Israeli runner Lonah Chemtai Salpeter and home girl Yuka Ando, who clocked 2:18.45 and 2:22.22 respectively.
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The reigning world record holder went on to retain her title in 2023 before Japan’s Yuka Ando triumphed in 2024.
With Chepngetich’s absence this year, the task of ensuring the title returns to Kenya lies on Chepkirui, who has what it takes to deliver.
The 34-year-old heads to Japan brimming with confidence thanks to the brilliant performances that she has registered in recent months.
Her most memorable performance came in the 2024 New York City Marathon where she overcame a deep field that had the likes of two-time Boston Marathon winner Hellen Obiri and Vivian Cheruiyot to bag the maiden Abbott World Marathon Majors title of her career.
However, despite enjoying a fine form at the moment, Chepkirui will have to be at her best in order to beat experienced runners such as Ethiopia’s Ruti Aga, Bahrain’s Eunice Chumba and the defending champion Ando.
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Speaking during the pre-race press conference on Friday, Chepkirui stated that she is ready for Sunday’s battle.
“My preparation has been good. On Sunday, I want to do well with a strong mindset, never giving up until I cross the finishing line,” she explained.
On her part, Ruti disclosed that her main goal is to lower her full marathon personal best that currently stands at 2:18.09.
Some of the other road race runners who will be in contention include Rika Kaseda (Japan), Sayaka Sato (Japan), Isobel Batt-Doyle (Australia), Ciren Cuomu (China) and Natosha Rogers (USA).
The Nagoya Women’s Marathon provides Japanese runners with the final chance to meet the qualifying time for the upcoming 2025 World Athletics Championships that will take place in Tokyo from September 13 to September 21.
A win for Chepkirui on Sunday will also increase her chances of representing Kenya in the Championships.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) runner will fight for the ticket to Tokyo with the likes of Chepngetich, Obiri, and Joyciline Jepkosgei.
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