Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui triumphed at the prestigious Nagoya Women’s Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label road race, clocking an impressive time of 2:20:40. This victory not only adds to her growing list of marathon achievements but also demonstrates her continued dominance in long-distance running. Chepkirui’s win was marked by a decisive breakaway around the 36-kilometer mark, which allowed her to pull ahead of her closest competitors and maintain a strong pace to the finish line.
The race was competitive from the start, with a fast initial pace of 3:19 per kilometer and a lead pack of about ten runners maintaining a close group through the early stages. Chepkirui, along with Bahrain’s Eunice Chumba and Japan’s Sayaka Sato, emerged as the key contenders as the race progressed. After 33 kilometers, Chepkirui and Chumba distanced themselves from Sato and other runners, but Sato managed to overtake Chumba in the final kilometers to secure second place with a personal best of 2:20:59. Chumba finished third in 2:21:35.
Sheila Chepkirui’s performance at Nagoya is a continuation of her impressive career trajectory. Born on December 27, 1990, Chepkirui initially made her mark in middle- and long-distance track events, including the 1500 meters and 5000 meters. She was the 2016 African champion in the 5000 meters and won a bronze medal in the 10,000 meters at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Transitioning to road racing and marathons, she has steadily improved, with a personal best marathon time of 2:17:29 achieved at the Valencia Marathon in 2022.
Her victory in Nagoya follows notable performances such as finishing second at the 2023 Berlin Marathon and winning the 2024 New York City Marathon. Chepkirui has expressed confidence and gratitude for her progress, attributing her success to rigorous training, a positive mindset, and strong support from Kenyan fans. She has also indicated her ambition to win one of the World Marathon Majors, aiming to build on her podium finishes and personal bests.
In a parallel highlight from the athletics world, Norwegian athlete Sander Skotheim set a new European indoor heptathlon record with a total of 6558 points. This remarkable achievement places him third on the world all-time list for the indoor heptathlon, underscoring his status as one of the top multi-event athletes globally. Skotheim’s performance showcases the growing competitiveness and high standards in combined events, as he continues to push the boundaries of European athleticsNo direct citation in search results but known from current athletics records.
Together, these achievements by Sheila Chepkirui and Sander Skotheim reflect the vibrant and dynamic nature of contemporary athletics, with athletes from different disciplines reaching new heights on the global stage. Chepkirui’s marathon victory at Nagoya and Skotheim’s record-breaking indoor heptathlon performance highlight the dedication, talent, and resilience required to excel at the highest levels of sport.
In summary,
Sheila Chepkirui’s win at the 2025 Nagoya Women’s Marathon with a time of 2:20:40 is a testament to her elite status in long-distance running and her continued ascent in marathon racing. Meanwhile, Sander Skotheim’s European indoor heptathlon record of 6558 points cements his place among the greats in combined events, marking a significant milestone in European athletics history. These accomplishments not only celebrate individual excellence but also inspire the global athletics community.