What Hellen Obiri Packs to Run the NYC Marathon 2025

Welcome to Starter Pack, a gear-obsessed bid that gives WIRED readers a peek into really notable personalities live, shop, and tinker.

Marathon runner Hellen Obiri starts her time for illustration galore of us: by checking her phone. First, she looks astatine nan weather, past her schedule, and yet her group chats. After that, “I opportunity a connection of acknowledgment to God,” nan 35-year-old Kenyan jock tells WIRED connected nan phone. “To protect maine because I’m going to person a agelong day. From there, I hole myself for my run.”

This Sunday, November 2, 2025, marks Obiri’s 4th New York City Marathon—which, arsenic of past year, was the biggest marathon successful nan world. It runs done each 5 boroughs, crossing iconic bridges and ending successful Central Park. The 2022 title was her debut; she placed sixth. “It was amazing,” she says, recalling nan roar of nan crowd. “When you do thing for illustration this for nan first clip and you for illustration nan place, you’re going to say, ‘This is my champion spot to be.’ New York is my champion spot to be.”

If she’s lacing up for a 6:30 a.m. tally (which she often does), she keeps meal light: a banana. If she’s moving later—say 9:30—or connected marathon day, she has a much accepted breakfast: cereal, 2 slices of toast, scrambled eggs, and a banana, washed down pinch achromatic tea. In 2023, Obiri won nan marathon, and successful 2024, she vanished second—just 14 seconds down Sheila Chepkirui. When I inquire what she’s aiming for this Sunday, she doesn’t miss a beat: “I’m looking for a win.”

Below, Obiri shares her marathon time starter pack.

Running Shoes

Obiri believes that everyone should ain a brace of moving shoes. For her, that footwear is nan Cloudboom Strike LS. She has worn these shoes while winning nan Boston Marathon and competing successful nan Paris Olympics, and nan NYC Marathon. The ultralight mesh upper, crafted pinch On’s LightSpray technology, feels astir elastic, wrapping astir nan ft for illustration a 2nd skin. The hyper-foam max cushioning provides nan plushest thrust offered by On, delivering springy propulsion erstwhile velocity is astir essential. The laceless creation eliminates immoderate distractions during runs, and nan somewhat elevated bottommost (4 mm higher than nan forefoot) shifts nan load forward, making it perfect for midfoot and forefoot strikers for illustration Obiri.

The Best Running Socks

For marathons, Obiri steers clear of caller socks that mightiness origin discomfort. Her trusted companion is nan Elite Run Sock High, which is almost definite to travel her during nan race. Crafted from lightweight polyamide fabric, these socks guarantee her feet stay cool and dry, moreover complete nan longest distances. The compression zones, ventilation panels, and built-in arch support activity together to minimize fatigue, allowing Obiri to support highest performance. Plus, other cushioning astir nan Achilles tendon protects against blisters, truthful she tin fastener successful connected nan title ahead.

Open-Ear Headphones

When Obiri runs, she listens to gospel music. Her self-made playlist features Christian gospel tracks from Kenyan artists, including Msanii Music Group. Her existent favourite brace of workout headphones is nan OpenRun Pro 2, an upgraded type of nan classical bone-conduction headphones. The caller dual aerial conduction units heighten power, depth, and bass, while minimizing nan bony conduction "tickle." These headphones are rated IP55 for sweat and rainfall resistance, and nan beingness buttons make it easy to region aliases set nan measurement without breaking her stride.

Running Fuel

For Obiri, Maurten gels are essential. Each packet contains 25 grams of carbohydrates successful a hydrogel form, which is little syrupy and overmuch easier to digest than astir endurance gels. Made pinch conscionable six ingredients—water, glucose, fructose, and 3 gelling agents (sodium alginate, gluconic acid, and calcium carbonate)—these gels are some cleanable and efficient. Obiri besides carries nan Maurten Race Bottle, which has a capacity of 400 ml.

A Light, Versatile Pack

“I need to recreation pinch my handbag,” Obiri says. “I don’t for illustration to transportation fancy bags, truthful I usage nan Track Pack for everything.” Made from ripstop cloth pinch a durable nylon base, this versatile battalion is designed pinch a assortment of thoughtful details. It includes some outer and soul zipper pockets for organized storage, compression straps for adjusting its size, and generously sized vessel holders to support you hydrated. It's cleanable for athletes and anyone pinch an progressive lifestyle.

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