Obiri maintains perfect start, Chelimo rules in Boston

Rio Olympics 5000m silver medalist Hellen Obiri continued her winning streak at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, Boston when she bagged the women’s 3000m title as Olympics silver medalist, Kenyan-born American Paul Chelimo took the men’s top honors.

Obiri beat two time 1500m indoor champion Sifan Hassan to clock 8:39.08 for the top honors with the Dutch settling for silver in 8:40.99. American Shannon Rowbury (8:41.94) completed the top three finishers’ list to scoop bronze.

In the men’s race, Chelimo who is a specialist in the US Army, assigned to the Army’s World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), ran an assertive race as he claimed gold in 7:42.39 ahead of Briton Andrew Butchart who clocked 7:42.97. Rio Olympics 5000m bronze medalist Hagos Gebrhiwet settled for third place in 7:43.04.

“The race went really well. I wanted to run 7:40 or better. All I wanted is to win, have fun out there and enjoy the race it’s still early in the season and it was just a way to scale my fitness to know where I am,” Chelimo said.

Though Chelimo did not express any interests in the upcoming World Cross Country Championships in Uganda March 26, the 5000m Rio silver medalist gave a spirited fight at the first indoor meet.

The race started off in a quick pace with Lawi Lalang becoming a threat to the leading pack. Chelimo remained tacked in the leading pack before he pulled a fast one on them to take lead from the fourth lap.

British Andrew Butchart came in second in 7:42.97 as Ethiopian Hagos Gebrhiwet the 5000m Rio Olympics 5000m bronze medalist settled third place in 7:43.04.

“I will stick to my indoors to get my speed for the outdoors, I will continue with my track season as I also put special focus on the fourth coming London Championships in August.” Added Chelimo.

Chelimo will return to the tracks this Saturday as the race favorite at the Camel City Elite Races at JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem already a winner in 2017.