Two-time Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri has opened up on how she had made a home away from home in America since relocating from Kenya over two years ago.
Two-time Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri is thankful that she made the decision to relocate to the United States as it has paid off massively both in her career and personal life.
Obiri relocated to the US over two years ago to improve her marathon training, having made the transition from track to road with a sixth-place finish at the 2022 New York Marathon, her debut over the 42k race.
The mother of one would link up with Colorado-based coach Dathan Ritzenhein, who has molded her into a great marathoner, that has since managed five podium finishes in as many marathons, including two wins in Boston, one in New York, followed by second place in the same city, and third place at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Obiri relocated to Boulder in northern Colorado where she moved with her husband and daughter and later decided to bring her parents along.
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The 35-year-old says it has been a great experience so far as having her family around has ensured she does not miss Kenya, stays in tune with her Kisii culture and her situation is helped by the fact that she is also able to plant and easily purchase Kenyan food.
“Life is so good compared to Kenya. Right now, I have my family over there and family is the most important thing to be with,” Obiri told NTV on Monday.
“I have my daughter, husband and my parents are also there. I live like a Kenyan or like a Kisii. We don’t talk like Americans, we speak in Kisii and we don’t care. I have a garden where I plant traditional vegetables like managu.
“I come from Kisii land and we have managu and saga and we have African stores so if you come to my house, you may think you are in Kenya. For me, that is the most important thing, like you have everything you need there.
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“The only thing I have not planted is maize, I have been trying and after winter, I will try to do that.”
With her busy schedule, Obiri decided to have her parents and those of her husband make alternate visits to America so that they not only offer her comfort but also ensure that her nine-year-old daughter Tania does not lose track of her roots.
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“My parents come there for like six months and then come back to Kenya and then my husband’s parents come for six months and go back so they keep on interchanging,” she added.
With family around, Obiri has been able to fully focus on her career and the results have been impressive.
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The Kenya Defence Forces Warrant Officer 2 is currently in Kenya where she opted to train from ahead of her Boston Marathon defence as she looks to make it three straight victories.
Obiri admitted the harsh winter in the US made it impossible to train for her Boston race in America, hence her decision to return home.