Running News Daily

Sheila Chepkirui Eyes Another Major Victory at Nagoya Women’s Marathon

Four months after her triumph at the New York City Marathon, Sheila Chepkirui is set to return to the roads, aiming for another major win at the Nagoya Women’s Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label event, on Sunday (March 9).

Chepkirui, 34, transitioned from a successful track career to the marathon in 2022, debuting with an impressive 2:17:29 in Valencia. Since then, she has delivered a series of strong performances, including sub-2:20 finishes in London and Berlin. However, her biggest achievement came last November when she claimed victory in New York, clocking 2:24:35 and outpacing global champions Hellen Obiri and Vivian Cheruiyot.

As the fastest entrant in the Nagoya field, Chepkirui stands as the race favorite, but she will face stiff competition. Ethiopian Ruti Aga, a seasoned marathoner with seven World Marathon Major podium finishes, comes into the race fresh off a 2:18:46 victory in Xiamen this past January. A past winner in Tokyo, Aga is well-versed in racing in Japan and will be looking to add another major title to her resume.

Also in contention is Bahrain’s Asian Games champion, Eunice Chumba. The 31-year-old finished second in Nagoya last year and took fourth in New York, proving her ability to compete at the highest level. With a personal best of 2:20:02, she will be eager to secure another podium finish.

For Japanese athletes, the stakes are even higher. Sunday’s race marks the final opportunity to qualify for the national team for the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025, guaranteeing an intense battle among domestic contenders.

One of Japan’s top entrants, Hitomi Niiya, makes her return to the Nagoya course 16 years after her debut in 2009, when she finished eighth. The 37-year-old took a break from marathons before making a comeback in 2022. Since then, she has set national records in the 10,000m and half marathon and lowered her marathon PB to 2:19:24 in Houston last year.

Another strong contender, Rika Kaseda, represented Japan at the 2023 World Championships and will be determined to earn her spot on the national team again. Meanwhile, Rino Goshima, who competed in the 10,000m at the Paris 2024 Olympics, will be making her much-anticipated marathon debut.

With approximately 20,000 runners expected, the Nagoya Women’s Marathon remains the world’s largest all-women’s marathon, providing a grand stage for both elite and amateur athletes. As Chepkirui seeks another career-defining victory, she will have to overcome a field of hungry challengers, ensuring an exciting battle on the streets of Nagoya.