June 7, 2025 • 31 mins
Broadcaster and Olympian Carrie Tollefson steps in to host today's interviews with the two Mastercard New York Mini 10k Champions, Susannah Scaroni and Hellen Obiri. Also joining Carrie, is the 2nd place pro-finisher and new American record holder for the course, Weini Kelati.
Champ Hellen Obiri Joins Carrie: (01:19)
6 Time Champ Susannah Scaroni: (08:13)
Fastest American Weini Kelati: (17:15)
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
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Speaker 2 (00:46):
Welcome to Set The Pace presented by Peloton. My name's
Carrie Tollefson, I'm an Olympian and a member of the
broadcast team, and today's special episode is with the champions
from today's Mastercard New York Mini 10K. On today's episode,
we have 2025 Mastercard Mini 10K Champion Hellen Obiri. We
also have six- time wheelchair champion Susannah Scaroni. And today
(01:09):
in second place she ran the fastest American time ever
at the Mastercard New York Mini 10K, we have Weini
Kelati and let's get after it. Okay, Helen. Oh, my.
Okay. Today you got to crack the tape of the
10K. You didn't have to run like 26 miles, you just
had to run six. How does it feel?
Speaker 3 (01:30):
I felt so good. Winning was amazing to me. Seeing
how my leg will be doing 6. 2 miles. So
honestly I say it was tough, but I made it.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Yeah, you did make it. So let's talk about the
race a little bit. You were up in that pack,
not necessarily pushing the pace for the early stages, but
you were there. Talk us through the first 5K. What
were you thinking?
Speaker 3 (01:56):
Before my mind I was like, let me try to hang
out with the ladies because honestly for me, I like
the pace when I push the pace, but it doesn't tell me, now this time
try to be patient.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
We were talking about your sub- 2 800, I mean
it's been a little while. When was the last time
you ran a competitive 800 meters?
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Even I can't remember, more than 10 years ago.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
But I mean it's pretty amazing. This was before the super
shoes, Hellen, and you ran sub- 2 and then now
you have run so fast for the marathon. Is it 217?
Speaker 3 (02:30):
217, yes.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Yeah, which is amazing. You did that in Boston and
you've won here in New York, you've won in Boston,
you've won Olympic and World Championship medals. What is there
left that you really want to do? Is it just
that every time you tow the line you love competing?
Speaker 3 (02:47):
For me, what comes into my mind, I say there are
so many people watching in (inaudible) and when I'm
start line I would say I'm the best and I'm
here to give out my best and honestly if I (inaudible)
, I try to do my best, so I give out my best.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Oh, I wish we all live like that in life.
If we could just say when we're in a boardroom
that we are the best, think of that. That's pretty
cool that you believe that and you run that way
with 800 meters to go today. You are still in
a pack, but you and Weini were starting to move.
I guess it was at a mile to go. You
were still in a pack and then Weini kind of
(03:27):
put some separation. The mind was still calm or were
you starting to feel a sense of urgency to get going?
Speaker 3 (03:33):
My mind was like Weini is good. Oh, my. Weini is here with me. She's
a track runner and I'm a marathoner. I'm coming from a tough
marathon of course, but for the last one week I've been doing good
speed work. Weini's got a very good speed work.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
And Laura was there with me saying, "Hellen, you got this." And then for me, I got in my mind I do so well speed work, so I have my legs to kick
because I did 400 of what was called 365 a marathon.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Oh, nice.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
So I said I have everything to take this one. So I didn't want to wait until the
end because I know this a hopping and then go
straight. So for me, I say I'm not good at hopping, so I'll try not to go between hopping. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
How hard is that? I think even the life lessons
that this sport teaches us is so amazing, but for
you to know that you could have taken that lead
and potentially have won the race anyway. But because you
and Coach Nathan or Coach Kelsey or Laura, whoever was
talking with you before the race, they said, " We want
(04:40):
you to be patient. We want you to sit." How
hard is that as an athlete, as a person to
just follow what they say and to sit?
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Sometimes I'm impatient.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
I know, we've heard that many times, Hellen Obiri is impatient.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
For me what on mind, sometimes I'm also impatient even doing
everything, I'm also impatient to do. I need to finish this one, I need to do
it. So today I say I need to be disciplined myself to
be patient. So there's a time I wanted to push the pace and then I looked at
my watch, it was six point something K. I said, "
(05:18):
Can I go?" And if I go and if the release respond, maybe I
can just roll it back. But they said, " No." I
don't want to be at this meter because in Boston
I learned the hard way. So today I want to
run the soft way.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Yep.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
I mean that's important I think. What are you most proud of today in your race?
Speaker 3 (05:42):
I can say winning first because what was in my mind,
it's like I've won marathon here, I have a marathon
here. So the thing was playing in my mind, can
you also go on this one? So doing here three
times, it was amazing for me and being the race for women only,
(06:02):
I said even if I'll just inspire so many women
outside there. So because there were more than 10,000 women. So if I won there, so because I've won here, I think I've just
inspired so many women.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
That's really cool. What would be really inspiring? If you
came to the Fifth Avenue mile.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Let me tell you, I didn't know. So many people
knew me in Central Park. So many people were telling me, "Obiri, just go, you got
this." So that one... There's another kid, I think was
seven years, she called me by name and then she
told me, " You're the best. I love you." Oh my goodness, that was (inaudible) in my mind.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Isn't that cool?
Speaker 3 (06:42):
I keep saying I love you. (inaudible) say it's amazing.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
We do love you. I mean it is so fun
to watch you run.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
I don't (inaudible) my mind, my health to see that kid.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Yes, but back to the question, will you ever run
the Fifth Avenue mile?
Speaker 3 (07:00):
No.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Oh, shoot. I was trying Sam and Dorian, I'm trying.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
I wish I could try that one when I was track maybe 10 years ago I could be done so well.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
You can maybe do it as a master's runner.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
But now I think I will try maybe next year
to go back and try (inaudible) speed. I think my legs...
Speaker 2 (07:21):
I think you got it.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Those ladies can kill me because... If I need to come here,
I need to be my best shape ever because I
need to learn (inaudible) for 20.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Yeah, you do.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
Which is hard to me.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Yeah, it is hard. But we love watching you race. What do
you do to celebrate today's win?
Speaker 3 (07:40):
So today I'm going to go out with the team to take
some lunch and 10 hour travel to see my family.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
Oh, your husband and Tanya waiting for you at home?
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Tanya was watching me saying like, " Mom, you got this,
I was watching you." So we say, "You wake up two times?" She said, "Yes, I have to watch you." So she told me, " You're the best mom."
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Oh, you are the best mom. We love watching you
and your family and we're so thankful that you're here
in Boulder training and come all the way to New
York to race. So, congratulations.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
Thank you so much for having me
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Susannah, okay, so I'm just going to start this with
last week you and I were texting back and forth
as I do before every race and you're so nice
to give me your time, but you came in kind
of like, " Carrie, I don't know. I don't know how this one's going to
go and you crushed it today."
Speaker 4 (08:29):
Thank you. Yeah, I'm shocked. I will be honest. I
was at the Chicago half last weekend, felt like I was just
huffing and puffing kind of thing, and I was like,
okay, that's okay. It's been an awesome three weeks, but
I love travel and was not feeling my best. So
I didn't know what to expect today.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
But today it clicked.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
It clicked today. Yeah. Amazing weather, no wind. It was
starting to sprinkle on the start line and then it
stopped for us, which is awesome. And they recently paved the
Central Park road, so I think that contributed to why
it was so fast. So just really thankful.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Yeah. I mean six in a row. Well, six times.
Excuse me. Last year you guys were all gone. The
wheelchair athletes were at the Olympic trials.
Speaker 4 (09:18):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
So this is your sixth. I mean when you say
that, is it pinch me for real, who wins six
in a row?
Speaker 4 (09:28):
Yeah, no, it's surprising and I've been a lot of
different renditions of the course and it's kind of nice
to feel like I've done a few solid ones of
today's course and they've gotten faster. So I'm just always
happy if I can go a little bit faster next year
and so that we'll see how long that lasts. But
I'm glad for today.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Well, we were talking a little bit on the broadcast,
your attitude, your mentality, the way you're racing, it's really
elevated in the last couple of years. I mean you
had that huge scare a few years ago when you
were hit by the car. Was that 2020...?
Speaker 4 (09:58):
One.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
One. Oh, it's that many years already.
Speaker 4 (10:02):
I know.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
But I remember you saying, I think it was a
year after that you were just so thankful for each
and every race 'cause that was a real big eye-
opener. And I feel like you attack each race like
that now even going into the Boston Marathon. Let's back
up a little bit, a month ago about you won
the Boston Marathon in a race where again, people were
(10:23):
giving other people the attention when all along, I'm not trying
to toot my own horn, but I was like, better
watch out for Susannah. So things have just been coming
around time and time again.
Speaker 4 (10:37):
Yeah, I am right there with you with kind of
being like, oh my gosh, this is really incredible. I
don't take any of them for granted. Boston was amazing.
Today was amazing, and I think my gratitude for getting
to be at every race, which was elevated a few
years ago, what I've really, really come to know this
(10:59):
season especially is the community. Getting to be here with
the community, which I think this race really highlights.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Yeah, you love that.
Speaker 4 (11:05):
Oh my gosh, yeah. There's so much history of allowing
people to do sports and to do running and how everybody,
every gender, every ability level should be able to do
sports. And I think New York Road Runners and the
Mini 10K is a good reflection of that.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
For sure.
Speaker 4 (11:23):
I feel like embraced by our community so much this whole
season and that part's amazing to be at too.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
Sam Grotewold and Dorian, Dorian Kail, excuse me, they bring
you guys all in, the wheelchair athletes and the runners
coming in. It's pretty cool the family that New York
Road Runners has built, I mean it is so fun.
Even Ted Metellus yesterday getting emotional because he just loves
(11:52):
not only this race but all of the races.
Speaker 4 (11:54):
Yes. And he treats us like family. I know we're
all just in shock and heartbroken for Ali Feller and
the fact that we got to all come together yesterday
at our tech meeting for this, what's really important is
being there for our family members like Ali. And I
felt the same way. I feel even the drug testers have been amazing.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
Yes. You kind of know people.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
The broadcasters. Oh, yeah. It's really, really cool.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Yeah. I want to get back to the race today,
you got off the line, but Tatiana, I call her,
Tat, like you guys did, but she got off the
line quick.
Speaker 4 (12:28):
Yeah, she did.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
And she's coming off of a world record on the
track. I mean she's a superstar. We'll talk about her.
Speaker 4 (12:33):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
But tell us a little bit about your race tactics
in a 10K because now we've seen you do so
well in the half, so well in the marathon, you
still dabble in the track, but you really have become
more this road racer, more dominant on the roads. But
what is that like? Were you like, oh, I got
to get back 'cause you didn't let it linger, you
got back out in front real quick.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
Oh, yeah. And that's what I love about the 10K is as a
wheelchair racer, for me at least, I feel like it's
a race I don't really have to pace myself. I
know can hold a pretty high intensity for a 10K. So
when I was coming near Tat and I could tell
I was still winding up, I was like, I'm going,
I don't need to get into a drafting race right
(13:16):
now in the 10K. I know my strengths and I know
turns, I feel like is a more strength in mine than it
is for Tatiana or has in the past. So I
was like, if I can really get those technical elements really
well today, I need to focus on those. And so
I didn't want to wait. I wanted to get on
those and so I'm glad I didn't wait.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
Yeah. So when we talk about you coming down in
distance from running in the spring marathons and now coming
down in distance, how does your training change? Much like
the runners, they're trying to figure out how to get
back because of the pounding. Now you can explain it
a lot better than I can, but they have to
hurry and quickly recover from pounding for 26. 2. Meanwhile,
(14:03):
you guys are flying across the world to go to
different races, so it's a different fatigue.
Speaker 4 (14:08):
Oh, yeah, absolutely. And I think in our sport where
drafting is a big element on the track and on
the road we're able to combine our training for marathons
with track training really well. It's more smooth I would
say probably than for a new bike runner. That being said,
we're still doing a lot of volume I would say,
(14:29):
but not long and steady volumes like we do more
of for marathon training. We are on the track doing
interval training and so that contributes really nicely to a
10K. My track competitions I had recently overseas while it's
to travel and it's a track (inaudible) , I feel like
sometimes I'm always wondering is the rest I get from
(14:50):
traveling helpful for the 10K, I think-
Speaker 2 (14:54):
Plus the dehydration, the lack of sleep and all the
other things. So are you really resting?
Speaker 4 (14:58):
Exactly. Yeah. I think that the training we do after
the spring marathons to get a little bit more ready
for the track helps a lot with the 10Ks that we have
kind of the early summer.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Yeah. What do you have now, after?
Speaker 4 (15:13):
I have the Peachtree 10K.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
I'm going to be there.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
Okay, awesome.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
That's the world's largest 10K on the road, so you
and I will be there together.
Speaker 4 (15:21):
Cool. Awesome.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (15:22):
Yeah, excited for that. I'd say my next real focus
is a Sydney Marathon, which I have never done before.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
And it's a new major.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
A new major, yep. My husband and I will go
to that one.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
And it's in August?
Speaker 4 (15:34):
Yes, August 31st.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
Okay. And then that will fit in then to be
able to do your normal fall?
Speaker 4 (15:42):
Yeah, I'll not do Berlin because of Sydney, so it'll
kind of replace the earliest marathon I usually do. And
then Chicago and New York.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
Okay. So we can announce that you'll be back in
New York.
Speaker 4 (15:52):
That's my plan as long as I invited.
Speaker 2 (15:52):
Oh, I think that you're going to get invited.
Speaker 4 (15:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
That's so fun.
Speaker 4 (15:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:59):
So when you crossed that finish line today and you
saw that you set another course record here, you're the
only one that's ever had one, which sounds funny, but
you went that fast today. What else is on your
list of things to check off in this sport?
Speaker 4 (16:20):
Oh, that's...
Speaker 2 (16:21):
That's a loaded question.
Speaker 4 (16:23):
That's at the top of the list.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
But you've done so much.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
Yeah, that's off the top of the list is getting
more out of myself and I was able to do
that today. And then I think a big thing is
I would like to make sure I'm also contributing to
the community. Like I said, it's been so big for me.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
You are so much. I don't know if you really know that.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (16:41):
But you are.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
I mean for young kids, no matter if they're out
there running on their own two legs or they are
wheeling their way through, it is so inspiring to see
you race.
Speaker 4 (16:53):
Awesome, thank you. I appreciate that. So the next thing
is I got to get a flag marathon, going to
get better at the flat courses, so we'll see how
Chicago and-
Speaker 2 (17:04):
There's something you have to work on.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
... London go, some goals of mine.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
Okay, well, Susannah, congratulations. We can't wait to see you.
Continue to race and we'll see you here next year hopefully.
Speaker 4 (17:13):
Yeah. Awesome. Sounds good, thanks.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
All right, Weini. Today you're second overall but the fastest
American ever to run on this course. When you hear
that, what does it feel like? What are you thinking?
Speaker 5 (17:25):
It feels amazing. I didn't know what I was thinking, but I was just
like, I did not know how fast we were going.
But it was just great to see my fellow American runners
that leading the race and I was like, okay, I
didn't plan it for this, but you are going to
make me to go the front because I can't... When you
see they're doing their part, you have to step at
(17:47):
the front and push the brakes too. But it's amazing.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
I really liked what you said in your post- race
interview you talked about how it was so fun to
run the race but also to help Amanda Vestri who
ended up placing six today. But she was one of
those Americans, she was the one leading the race until
you were like, okay, I'm going to get out there
with her.
Speaker 5 (18:07):
Yeah. As soon as we started the race, Emma and
her was at the front and I was like, I
want to stay in the back. But when I see
them I was like, okay, I have to be there
with them. And it's great. It feels like you are
running individually, wherever you do matters, but at the same
(18:28):
time you have to think that either of us have
to be in the podium. So when I ran and
I was just thinking, especially when the race gets a lot
harder at the end and I was like, hopefully we
got this because we pushed from all the way to
the race and I feel like, okay, we need to be there.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
I thought it was so neat too because you are
running against each other. You want to beat each other.
But we're in this race today where, well, you were
in it, I was just running my mouth, not my
legs. I was at finish line or at the desk
with the TV. But you are out there with almost
10,000 runners they said is what started the race today.
All women. In a race that has such history and
(19:11):
you after the race take the time to lift up
your fellow competitors. And to me that really meant something.
I'm older now in this sport and I've been through
things that you've been through, been at the Olympic Games,
NCAA Championships and you do, you have this competitive edge,
but at the same time you also really enjoy the
camaraderie of your teammates and your fellow competitors.
Speaker 5 (19:32):
Yeah, I mean it's very important to share on each
other I think. I know I'm very competitive when it
comes to the race. Sometimes you don't feel like you're
doing enough to lift each other, but we have to do
that. And I was so happy that when I hear
this is only women's race and so many womens were at the
(19:52):
set line, which is amazing. And I was talking to Sam
yesterday and he goes like this race had been held
for 53 years. That's amazing.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
I know.
Speaker 5 (20:04):
And as I said, just being with this great womens
out there, it just means so much.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (20:16):
As a runner, I said like I'm competitive. But it's
also important to bring that respect for everyone for what
they're doing in the sport. Also, me being competitive at
the same time, very cheerful for everyone. I have seen
them racing, whether it's road race, we're going to see
(20:38):
each other a lot, whether it's in the track or in the road racing.
So it's good that to... How are we going to explain
this? To cheer them on and lift each other and
it brings the sport to be friendly. So I like it.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
And the better they run, the better you run. I
mean one of my favorite things about you, Weini, is
when I've interviewed you before, I mean you love to
compete, you love to run fast. That's a quote, " I
just love to run fast." You don't mind hurting, you
don't mind going out there and setting a pace that
is really hard. How do you get there? As a
person, as a woman, how do you get to the
(21:24):
point where not that you love pain, but that you're
okay with seeing how hard you actually can do something
in life? You're in this moment right now where this
is just normal for you. This is your job, you
love to do it, but not everybody knows how to
really get the most out of themselves. And you do
that almost daily.
Speaker 5 (21:44):
Well, I think it depends on your training and then
also you have to work mentally to be ready. No
one loves pain, but the good thing is the reward
you get after you do well after the race. So
you got to train hard where sometimes it felt like,
(22:06):
oh my God, I didn't know if I'm doing enough.
Especially when you feel like you short of one race that you
really wanted to win. But no matter what, you have
to keep going. And I like the race when it
starts from the gun, it just give me confidence that
okay, it's going to hurt but you have to go
(22:28):
for it. You don't have to be scared. And as
I always said, you don't have to have that if
question in your mind. It's like if I was doing
it in different way, I could have done it better.
And you just have to go out and do your thing.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
Yeah, do your thing. So today you are right behind a two-
time Olympic medalist, a two- time world champion. You're also
behind this woman that has won the New York City
Marathon, the Boston Marathon. What is it like to battle
her? And then the person right behind you is a
world champion in the marathon.
Speaker 5 (23:07):
Well, all I have to say is the legend Hellen Obiri.
So I used to watch her, barely I started running
back home and she was running track. She was my
favorite. I'm a big fan of her and always I'll
pick her as my favorite runner. She will never disappoint.
I love the way how she runs. She's good wherever
(23:30):
she does and road racing, track and she can lead,
she can kick. I wish I have those things. So
I really admire her as a runner. And I used
to be a big fan of her. Just to be running with
her right now means so much.
Speaker 2 (23:47):
Isn't that cool?
Speaker 5 (23:47):
I was just talking to her. " Oh my God, I can't
believe I'm running with you right now." And also the...
Speaker 2 (23:56):
Gotytom give us the last time, yeah.
Speaker 5 (23:57):
Yeah, Gotytom. Fun fact, you know how we get to know
each other?
Speaker 2 (24:01):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 5 (24:02):
It was in Eugene-
Speaker 2 (24:04):
At the World Champs?
Speaker 5 (24:05):
The Junior World Championships. We were sitting and talking after
that I was wondering where she's at and many years
later just seeing her winning the marathon out the World
Championship and I was like, wow, that's that little girl
I know back then. Now she is like...
Speaker 2 (24:26):
Just a star.
Speaker 5 (24:26):
A star. And I just like, that's what I love about running. It connects you
with so many runners across the world and you make friends wherever you
travel. That's the best thing I know. And I'm happy to be running with them.
Speaker 2 (24:42):
Running with them and pushing them to be the best
they can be as well.
Speaker 5 (24:46):
I'm trying to be as good as them.
Speaker 2 (24:47):
Oh. Okay. So we got to find out. What was it like
with a mile to go? You still had a big
pack. Taylor Roe right there. Amanda Vestri was a little
bit off the back of the pack, but you had
Gotytom and you had Hellen. You had Sharon Lokedi still
there, what were your thoughts with a mile to go?
Was that where you wanted to make a push because
(25:08):
there were some moves between you and Hellen with about
one to go?
Speaker 5 (25:12):
Yeah, so first this is me, I don't look who's
close to me.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
Oh, you just saw like a body.
Speaker 5 (25:21):
Yeah. I just have to keep going as much as
I can stay in the race. But then I just
took a little peek and I see there was Hellen,
Sharon next to me of course. And then I see
Taylor and then Amanda, as you said, she was a
little bit behind and I was like, these are all
(25:43):
great women. So all I have to need is stay
focused and try to push myself through the end. And
I was waiting on Hellen, she's going to take it.
No question. I said she's going to come around and
drop it at some point, but I have to hang
on with her. And as soon as she took it,
(26:03):
as you can see, she pulled a big leap. Then
I was like, okay, I'm not trying to give up. I'm just
going to follow her and push all the way to the
end. I think it will be good because I knew the race
was very close to me.
Speaker 2 (26:15):
Yeah, there was just two times in the end of
the race where I saw a little discomfort on your
face, but you look so strong. You were the one in
command until she made that final push, the final sprint
with probably 250... Right before you made that final turn.
It was when she made that move. So you stayed
calm. Were you getting excited as the time went by
(26:37):
because you were up there in front?
Speaker 5 (26:39):
Oh, yeah. I was very excited. I have a little
bit in trouble. I've been dealing this for a very
long time. I fell sick in the middle of... There
is in the middle of training.
Speaker 2 (26:50):
I guess, stomach distress?
Speaker 5 (26:51):
It was a stomach thing. There is a lot of
thing that I get tested with. I've been dealing for a
very long time, so I did not know it was
there. I got it in Houston and it was just keep
going and I was like-
Speaker 2 (27:06):
But that's when you set the American record. So you
fought through it in Houston?
Speaker 5 (27:09):
Yeah, I had similar issue, but it wasn't hard because
I barely get it that time I think. So I
just like, I've been getting better because I had to
see the doctor and work him through it, but I
felt it today during the race.
Speaker 2 (27:28):
You did.
Speaker 5 (27:28):
And I was trying not to get me that because when
I ran the half- marathon at the (inaudible) Championships, it
was a great race and halfway through I had similar
issue. But it wasn't only during my race, during my
training, people think, oh, because you're getting too nervous you're
getting this, but it wasn't.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
It's happening in practice too.
Speaker 5 (27:49):
It wasn't. So I'll wake up early in the morning, feel
nauseous. I will even turn out the day in the
middle of the night I was getting it. So now
I'm okay. I'm good
Speaker 2 (28:01):
You're working on it? Are you working on diet or
is it a muscle thing? What are you working on?
Speaker 5 (28:04):
I have to work on everything. Also I have a
prescribed medication for it.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
Okay.
Speaker 5 (28:10):
Yeah, I was going through a hard time a little
bit. I take me away from my training. I wasn't
able to train for a while after this championship, but
now I'm feeling healthy and feeling good but-
Speaker 2 (28:23):
Obviously.
Speaker 5 (28:23):
So when I travel, stay away from my home for
a while, just getting the outside food, kind of get
me back to-
Speaker 2 (28:32):
You got to figure that out.
Speaker 5 (28:33):
I have to figure it out, but I always get
so I was just not trying to get into that
in my mind. I was like, I had this in my training. I
know how I can get through it. Let's do this.
Speaker 2 (28:47):
The mind is a powerful thing, right? It overtakes the body a lot of times.
Speaker 5 (28:50):
It does. It does a lot.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (28:52):
Yeah. At some point I was like, oh my god.
I know. I know I have something, but then a
few minutes, a few seconds later I'll calm down.
Speaker 2 (29:03):
Calm down. Okay, good. So last question. What does the rest
of the season look like for you? Are you going
to stay on the roads, go back to the track?
We do have a world championships in September in Tokyo.
So where will we find you?
Speaker 5 (29:15):
Yeah. Oh my goodness. I'm all over in the place
right now.
Speaker 2 (29:19):
Because you're good at everything. You're good at cross. You're
good at the roads and the track.
Speaker 5 (29:23):
I'm trying, I'm trying, but I'm going to go back
to track again. I'm going to do the 5K Prefontaine
Classic in July and that's going to be a very fast
race and from that I'm going to focus on the (inaudible) Championship
after that. I was thinking just to focus on road
racing, but we'll see. Every time I was like, this
(29:47):
is my last season. I'm going to run only road
racing. I'm going to move up to longer distances. But
then when the track comes, I was like, I can't
skip it.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
You love it.
Speaker 5 (29:57):
I have to go back and do it.
Speaker 2 (29:59):
Oh, we love seeing you everywhere and especially here in
New York City. So congratulations. The American record holder of
the New York Mini, oh my goodness, congratulations.
Speaker 5 (30:07):
Thank you. I mean to be in New York City,
just always bring that energy with the fans and everything,
so thank you so much. I'm really happy to be here and
look at this, only women's race.
Speaker 2 (30:22):
I know.
Speaker 5 (30:22):
I'm just so proud of that, that womens do anything.
Speaker 2 (30:26):
We sure can.
Speaker 5 (30:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
You better celebrate today.
Speaker 5 (30:29):
I have to. This is very special. But I'll thank
the organizers and everyone who make it possible. Just it means so
much for... We are womens.
Speaker 2 (30:42):
Yeah. Hey, everyone, thanks again for joining me today on
Set The Pace. I'm Carrie Tollefson and it was so
much fun to have this special edition with the 2025
Mastercard New York Mini 10K Champions and Weini Kelati. We'll see
you next time at the Fifth Avenue Mile. And of
course, the Marathon.
Speaker 6 (31:12):
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(31:34):
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Speaker 2 (00:46):
Welcome to Set The Pace presented by Peloton. My name's
Carrie Tollefson, I'm an Olympian and a member of the
broadcast team, and today's special episode is with the champions
from today's Mastercard New York Mini 10K. On today's episode,
we have 2025 Mastercard Mini 10K Champion Hellen Obiri. We
also have six- time wheelchair champion Susannah Scaroni. And today
(01:09):
in second place she ran the fastest American time ever
at the Mastercard New York Mini 10K, we have Weini
Kelati and let's get after it. Okay, Helen. Oh, my.
Okay. Today you got to crack the tape of the
10K. You didn't have to run like 26 miles, you just
had to run six. How does it feel?
Speaker 3 (01:30):
I felt so good. Winning was amazing to me. Seeing
how my leg will be doing 6. 2 miles. So
honestly I say it was tough, but I made it.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Yeah, you did make it. So let's talk about the
race a little bit. You were up in that pack,
not necessarily pushing the pace for the early stages, but
you were there. Talk us through the first 5K. What
were you thinking?
Speaker 3 (01:56):
Before my mind I was like, let me try to hang
out with the ladies because honestly for me, I like
the pace when I push the pace, but it doesn't tell me, now this time
try to be patient.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
We were talking about your sub- 2 800, I mean
it's been a little while. When was the last time
you ran a competitive 800 meters?
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Even I can't remember, more than 10 years ago.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
But I mean it's pretty amazing. This was before the super
shoes, Hellen, and you ran sub- 2 and then now
you have run so fast for the marathon. Is it 217?
Speaker 3 (02:30):
217, yes.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Yeah, which is amazing. You did that in Boston and
you've won here in New York, you've won in Boston,
you've won Olympic and World Championship medals. What is there
left that you really want to do? Is it just
that every time you tow the line you love competing?
Speaker 3 (02:47):
For me, what comes into my mind, I say there are
so many people watching in (inaudible) and when I'm
start line I would say I'm the best and I'm
here to give out my best and honestly if I (inaudible)
, I try to do my best, so I give out my best.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Oh, I wish we all live like that in life.
If we could just say when we're in a boardroom
that we are the best, think of that. That's pretty
cool that you believe that and you run that way
with 800 meters to go today. You are still in
a pack, but you and Weini were starting to move.
I guess it was at a mile to go. You
were still in a pack and then Weini kind of
(03:27):
put some separation. The mind was still calm or were
you starting to feel a sense of urgency to get going?
Speaker 3 (03:33):
My mind was like Weini is good. Oh, my. Weini is here with me. She's
a track runner and I'm a marathoner. I'm coming from a tough
marathon of course, but for the last one week I've been doing good
speed work. Weini's got a very good speed work.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
And Laura was there with me saying, "Hellen, you got this." And then for me, I got in my mind I do so well speed work, so I have my legs to kick
because I did 400 of what was called 365 a marathon.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Oh, nice.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
So I said I have everything to take this one. So I didn't want to wait until the
end because I know this a hopping and then go
straight. So for me, I say I'm not good at hopping, so I'll try not to go between hopping. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
How hard is that? I think even the life lessons
that this sport teaches us is so amazing, but for
you to know that you could have taken that lead
and potentially have won the race anyway. But because you
and Coach Nathan or Coach Kelsey or Laura, whoever was
talking with you before the race, they said, " We want
(04:40):
you to be patient. We want you to sit." How
hard is that as an athlete, as a person to
just follow what they say and to sit?
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Sometimes I'm impatient.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
I know, we've heard that many times, Hellen Obiri is impatient.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
For me what on mind, sometimes I'm also impatient even doing
everything, I'm also impatient to do. I need to finish this one, I need to do
it. So today I say I need to be disciplined myself to
be patient. So there's a time I wanted to push the pace and then I looked at
my watch, it was six point something K. I said, "
(05:18):
Can I go?" And if I go and if the release respond, maybe I
can just roll it back. But they said, " No." I
don't want to be at this meter because in Boston
I learned the hard way. So today I want to
run the soft way.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Yep.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
I mean that's important I think. What are you most proud of today in your race?
Speaker 3 (05:42):
I can say winning first because what was in my mind,
it's like I've won marathon here, I have a marathon
here. So the thing was playing in my mind, can
you also go on this one? So doing here three
times, it was amazing for me and being the race for women only,
(06:02):
I said even if I'll just inspire so many women
outside there. So because there were more than 10,000 women. So if I won there, so because I've won here, I think I've just
inspired so many women.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
That's really cool. What would be really inspiring? If you
came to the Fifth Avenue mile.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Let me tell you, I didn't know. So many people
knew me in Central Park. So many people were telling me, "Obiri, just go, you got
this." So that one... There's another kid, I think was
seven years, she called me by name and then she
told me, " You're the best. I love you." Oh my goodness, that was (inaudible) in my mind.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Isn't that cool?
Speaker 3 (06:42):
I keep saying I love you. (inaudible) say it's amazing.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
We do love you. I mean it is so fun
to watch you run.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
I don't (inaudible) my mind, my health to see that kid.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Yes, but back to the question, will you ever run
the Fifth Avenue mile?
Speaker 3 (07:00):
No.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Oh, shoot. I was trying Sam and Dorian, I'm trying.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
I wish I could try that one when I was track maybe 10 years ago I could be done so well.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
You can maybe do it as a master's runner.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
But now I think I will try maybe next year
to go back and try (inaudible) speed. I think my legs...
Speaker 2 (07:21):
I think you got it.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Those ladies can kill me because... If I need to come here,
I need to be my best shape ever because I
need to learn (inaudible) for 20.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Yeah, you do.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
Which is hard to me.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Yeah, it is hard. But we love watching you race. What do
you do to celebrate today's win?
Speaker 3 (07:40):
So today I'm going to go out with the team to take
some lunch and 10 hour travel to see my family.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
Oh, your husband and Tanya waiting for you at home?
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Tanya was watching me saying like, " Mom, you got this,
I was watching you." So we say, "You wake up two times?" She said, "Yes, I have to watch you." So she told me, " You're the best mom."
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Oh, you are the best mom. We love watching you
and your family and we're so thankful that you're here
in Boulder training and come all the way to New
York to race. So, congratulations.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
Thank you so much for having me
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Susannah, okay, so I'm just going to start this with
last week you and I were texting back and forth
as I do before every race and you're so nice
to give me your time, but you came in kind
of like, " Carrie, I don't know. I don't know how this one's going to
go and you crushed it today."
Speaker 4 (08:29):
Thank you. Yeah, I'm shocked. I will be honest. I
was at the Chicago half last weekend, felt like I was just
huffing and puffing kind of thing, and I was like,
okay, that's okay. It's been an awesome three weeks, but
I love travel and was not feeling my best. So
I didn't know what to expect today.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
But today it clicked.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
It clicked today. Yeah. Amazing weather, no wind. It was
starting to sprinkle on the start line and then it
stopped for us, which is awesome. And they recently paved the
Central Park road, so I think that contributed to why
it was so fast. So just really thankful.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Yeah. I mean six in a row. Well, six times.
Excuse me. Last year you guys were all gone. The
wheelchair athletes were at the Olympic trials.
Speaker 4 (09:18):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
So this is your sixth. I mean when you say
that, is it pinch me for real, who wins six
in a row?
Speaker 4 (09:28):
Yeah, no, it's surprising and I've been a lot of
different renditions of the course and it's kind of nice
to feel like I've done a few solid ones of
today's course and they've gotten faster. So I'm just always
happy if I can go a little bit faster next year
and so that we'll see how long that lasts. But
I'm glad for today.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Well, we were talking a little bit on the broadcast,
your attitude, your mentality, the way you're racing, it's really
elevated in the last couple of years. I mean you
had that huge scare a few years ago when you
were hit by the car. Was that 2020...?
Speaker 4 (09:58):
One.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
One. Oh, it's that many years already.
Speaker 4 (10:02):
I know.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
But I remember you saying, I think it was a
year after that you were just so thankful for each
and every race 'cause that was a real big eye-
opener. And I feel like you attack each race like
that now even going into the Boston Marathon. Let's back
up a little bit, a month ago about you won
the Boston Marathon in a race where again, people were
(10:23):
giving other people the attention when all along, I'm not trying
to toot my own horn, but I was like, better
watch out for Susannah. So things have just been coming
around time and time again.
Speaker 4 (10:37):
Yeah, I am right there with you with kind of
being like, oh my gosh, this is really incredible. I
don't take any of them for granted. Boston was amazing.
Today was amazing, and I think my gratitude for getting
to be at every race, which was elevated a few
years ago, what I've really, really come to know this
(10:59):
season especially is the community. Getting to be here with
the community, which I think this race really highlights.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Yeah, you love that.
Speaker 4 (11:05):
Oh my gosh, yeah. There's so much history of allowing
people to do sports and to do running and how everybody,
every gender, every ability level should be able to do
sports. And I think New York Road Runners and the
Mini 10K is a good reflection of that.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
For sure.
Speaker 4 (11:23):
I feel like embraced by our community so much this whole
season and that part's amazing to be at too.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
Sam Grotewold and Dorian, Dorian Kail, excuse me, they bring
you guys all in, the wheelchair athletes and the runners
coming in. It's pretty cool the family that New York
Road Runners has built, I mean it is so fun.
Even Ted Metellus yesterday getting emotional because he just loves
(11:52):
not only this race but all of the races.
Speaker 4 (11:54):
Yes. And he treats us like family. I know we're
all just in shock and heartbroken for Ali Feller and
the fact that we got to all come together yesterday
at our tech meeting for this, what's really important is
being there for our family members like Ali. And I
felt the same way. I feel even the drug testers have been amazing.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
Yes. You kind of know people.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
The broadcasters. Oh, yeah. It's really, really cool.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Yeah. I want to get back to the race today,
you got off the line, but Tatiana, I call her,
Tat, like you guys did, but she got off the
line quick.
Speaker 4 (12:28):
Yeah, she did.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
And she's coming off of a world record on the
track. I mean she's a superstar. We'll talk about her.
Speaker 4 (12:33):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
But tell us a little bit about your race tactics
in a 10K because now we've seen you do so
well in the half, so well in the marathon, you
still dabble in the track, but you really have become
more this road racer, more dominant on the roads. But
what is that like? Were you like, oh, I got
to get back 'cause you didn't let it linger, you
got back out in front real quick.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
Oh, yeah. And that's what I love about the 10K is as a
wheelchair racer, for me at least, I feel like it's
a race I don't really have to pace myself. I
know can hold a pretty high intensity for a 10K. So
when I was coming near Tat and I could tell
I was still winding up, I was like, I'm going,
I don't need to get into a drafting race right
(13:16):
now in the 10K. I know my strengths and I know
turns, I feel like is a more strength in mine than it
is for Tatiana or has in the past. So I
was like, if I can really get those technical elements really
well today, I need to focus on those. And so
I didn't want to wait. I wanted to get on
those and so I'm glad I didn't wait.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
Yeah. So when we talk about you coming down in
distance from running in the spring marathons and now coming
down in distance, how does your training change? Much like
the runners, they're trying to figure out how to get
back because of the pounding. Now you can explain it
a lot better than I can, but they have to
hurry and quickly recover from pounding for 26. 2. Meanwhile,
(14:03):
you guys are flying across the world to go to
different races, so it's a different fatigue.
Speaker 4 (14:08):
Oh, yeah, absolutely. And I think in our sport where
drafting is a big element on the track and on
the road we're able to combine our training for marathons
with track training really well. It's more smooth I would
say probably than for a new bike runner. That being said,
we're still doing a lot of volume I would say,
(14:29):
but not long and steady volumes like we do more
of for marathon training. We are on the track doing
interval training and so that contributes really nicely to a
10K. My track competitions I had recently overseas while it's
to travel and it's a track (inaudible) , I feel like
sometimes I'm always wondering is the rest I get from
(14:50):
traveling helpful for the 10K, I think-
Speaker 2 (14:54):
Plus the dehydration, the lack of sleep and all the
other things. So are you really resting?
Speaker 4 (14:58):
Exactly. Yeah. I think that the training we do after
the spring marathons to get a little bit more ready
for the track helps a lot with the 10Ks that we have
kind of the early summer.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Yeah. What do you have now, after?
Speaker 4 (15:13):
I have the Peachtree 10K.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
I'm going to be there.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
Okay, awesome.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
That's the world's largest 10K on the road, so you
and I will be there together.
Speaker 4 (15:21):
Cool. Awesome.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (15:22):
Yeah, excited for that. I'd say my next real focus
is a Sydney Marathon, which I have never done before.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
And it's a new major.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
A new major, yep. My husband and I will go
to that one.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
And it's in August?
Speaker 4 (15:34):
Yes, August 31st.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
Okay. And then that will fit in then to be
able to do your normal fall?
Speaker 4 (15:42):
Yeah, I'll not do Berlin because of Sydney, so it'll
kind of replace the earliest marathon I usually do. And
then Chicago and New York.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
Okay. So we can announce that you'll be back in
New York.
Speaker 4 (15:52):
That's my plan as long as I invited.
Speaker 2 (15:52):
Oh, I think that you're going to get invited.
Speaker 4 (15:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
That's so fun.
Speaker 4 (15:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:59):
So when you crossed that finish line today and you
saw that you set another course record here, you're the
only one that's ever had one, which sounds funny, but
you went that fast today. What else is on your
list of things to check off in this sport?
Speaker 4 (16:20):
Oh, that's...
Speaker 2 (16:21):
That's a loaded question.
Speaker 4 (16:23):
That's at the top of the list.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
But you've done so much.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
Yeah, that's off the top of the list is getting
more out of myself and I was able to do
that today. And then I think a big thing is
I would like to make sure I'm also contributing to
the community. Like I said, it's been so big for me.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
You are so much. I don't know if you really know that.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (16:41):
But you are.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
I mean for young kids, no matter if they're out
there running on their own two legs or they are
wheeling their way through, it is so inspiring to see
you race.
Speaker 4 (16:53):
Awesome, thank you. I appreciate that. So the next thing
is I got to get a flag marathon, going to
get better at the flat courses, so we'll see how
Chicago and-
Speaker 2 (17:04):
There's something you have to work on.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
... London go, some goals of mine.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
Okay, well, Susannah, congratulations. We can't wait to see you.
Continue to race and we'll see you here next year hopefully.
Speaker 4 (17:13):
Yeah. Awesome. Sounds good, thanks.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
All right, Weini. Today you're second overall but the fastest
American ever to run on this course. When you hear
that, what does it feel like? What are you thinking?
Speaker 5 (17:25):
It feels amazing. I didn't know what I was thinking, but I was just
like, I did not know how fast we were going.
But it was just great to see my fellow American runners
that leading the race and I was like, okay, I
didn't plan it for this, but you are going to
make me to go the front because I can't... When you
see they're doing their part, you have to step at
(17:47):
the front and push the brakes too. But it's amazing.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
I really liked what you said in your post- race
interview you talked about how it was so fun to
run the race but also to help Amanda Vestri who
ended up placing six today. But she was one of
those Americans, she was the one leading the race until
you were like, okay, I'm going to get out there
with her.
Speaker 5 (18:07):
Yeah. As soon as we started the race, Emma and
her was at the front and I was like, I
want to stay in the back. But when I see
them I was like, okay, I have to be there
with them. And it's great. It feels like you are
running individually, wherever you do matters, but at the same
(18:28):
time you have to think that either of us have
to be in the podium. So when I ran and
I was just thinking, especially when the race gets a lot
harder at the end and I was like, hopefully we
got this because we pushed from all the way to
the race and I feel like, okay, we need to be there.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
I thought it was so neat too because you are
running against each other. You want to beat each other.
But we're in this race today where, well, you were
in it, I was just running my mouth, not my
legs. I was at finish line or at the desk
with the TV. But you are out there with almost
10,000 runners they said is what started the race today.
All women. In a race that has such history and
(19:11):
you after the race take the time to lift up
your fellow competitors. And to me that really meant something.
I'm older now in this sport and I've been through
things that you've been through, been at the Olympic Games,
NCAA Championships and you do, you have this competitive edge,
but at the same time you also really enjoy the
camaraderie of your teammates and your fellow competitors.
Speaker 5 (19:32):
Yeah, I mean it's very important to share on each
other I think. I know I'm very competitive when it
comes to the race. Sometimes you don't feel like you're
doing enough to lift each other, but we have to do
that. And I was so happy that when I hear
this is only women's race and so many womens were at the
(19:52):
set line, which is amazing. And I was talking to Sam
yesterday and he goes like this race had been held
for 53 years. That's amazing.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
I know.
Speaker 5 (20:04):
And as I said, just being with this great womens
out there, it just means so much.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (20:16):
As a runner, I said like I'm competitive. But it's
also important to bring that respect for everyone for what
they're doing in the sport. Also, me being competitive at
the same time, very cheerful for everyone. I have seen
them racing, whether it's road race, we're going to see
(20:38):
each other a lot, whether it's in the track or in the road racing.
So it's good that to... How are we going to explain
this? To cheer them on and lift each other and
it brings the sport to be friendly. So I like it.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
And the better they run, the better you run. I
mean one of my favorite things about you, Weini, is
when I've interviewed you before, I mean you love to
compete, you love to run fast. That's a quote, " I
just love to run fast." You don't mind hurting, you
don't mind going out there and setting a pace that
is really hard. How do you get there? As a
person, as a woman, how do you get to the
(21:24):
point where not that you love pain, but that you're
okay with seeing how hard you actually can do something
in life? You're in this moment right now where this
is just normal for you. This is your job, you
love to do it, but not everybody knows how to
really get the most out of themselves. And you do
that almost daily.
Speaker 5 (21:44):
Well, I think it depends on your training and then
also you have to work mentally to be ready. No
one loves pain, but the good thing is the reward
you get after you do well after the race. So
you got to train hard where sometimes it felt like,
(22:06):
oh my God, I didn't know if I'm doing enough.
Especially when you feel like you short of one race that you
really wanted to win. But no matter what, you have
to keep going. And I like the race when it
starts from the gun, it just give me confidence that
okay, it's going to hurt but you have to go
(22:28):
for it. You don't have to be scared. And as
I always said, you don't have to have that if
question in your mind. It's like if I was doing
it in different way, I could have done it better.
And you just have to go out and do your thing.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
Yeah, do your thing. So today you are right behind a two-
time Olympic medalist, a two- time world champion. You're also
behind this woman that has won the New York City
Marathon, the Boston Marathon. What is it like to battle
her? And then the person right behind you is a
world champion in the marathon.
Speaker 5 (23:07):
Well, all I have to say is the legend Hellen Obiri.
So I used to watch her, barely I started running
back home and she was running track. She was my
favorite. I'm a big fan of her and always I'll
pick her as my favorite runner. She will never disappoint.
I love the way how she runs. She's good wherever
(23:30):
she does and road racing, track and she can lead,
she can kick. I wish I have those things. So
I really admire her as a runner. And I used
to be a big fan of her. Just to be running with
her right now means so much.
Speaker 2 (23:47):
Isn't that cool?
Speaker 5 (23:47):
I was just talking to her. " Oh my God, I can't
believe I'm running with you right now." And also the...
Speaker 2 (23:56):
Gotytom give us the last time, yeah.
Speaker 5 (23:57):
Yeah, Gotytom. Fun fact, you know how we get to know
each other?
Speaker 2 (24:01):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 5 (24:02):
It was in Eugene-
Speaker 2 (24:04):
At the World Champs?
Speaker 5 (24:05):
The Junior World Championships. We were sitting and talking after
that I was wondering where she's at and many years
later just seeing her winning the marathon out the World
Championship and I was like, wow, that's that little girl
I know back then. Now she is like...
Speaker 2 (24:26):
Just a star.
Speaker 5 (24:26):
A star. And I just like, that's what I love about running. It connects you
with so many runners across the world and you make friends wherever you
travel. That's the best thing I know. And I'm happy to be running with them.
Speaker 2 (24:42):
Running with them and pushing them to be the best
they can be as well.
Speaker 5 (24:46):
I'm trying to be as good as them.
Speaker 2 (24:47):
Oh. Okay. So we got to find out. What was it like
with a mile to go? You still had a big
pack. Taylor Roe right there. Amanda Vestri was a little
bit off the back of the pack, but you had
Gotytom and you had Hellen. You had Sharon Lokedi still
there, what were your thoughts with a mile to go?
Was that where you wanted to make a push because
(25:08):
there were some moves between you and Hellen with about
one to go?
Speaker 5 (25:12):
Yeah, so first this is me, I don't look who's
close to me.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
Oh, you just saw like a body.
Speaker 5 (25:21):
Yeah. I just have to keep going as much as
I can stay in the race. But then I just
took a little peek and I see there was Hellen,
Sharon next to me of course. And then I see
Taylor and then Amanda, as you said, she was a
little bit behind and I was like, these are all
(25:43):
great women. So all I have to need is stay
focused and try to push myself through the end. And
I was waiting on Hellen, she's going to take it.
No question. I said she's going to come around and
drop it at some point, but I have to hang
on with her. And as soon as she took it,
(26:03):
as you can see, she pulled a big leap. Then
I was like, okay, I'm not trying to give up. I'm just
going to follow her and push all the way to the
end. I think it will be good because I knew the race
was very close to me.
Speaker 2 (26:15):
Yeah, there was just two times in the end of
the race where I saw a little discomfort on your
face, but you look so strong. You were the one in
command until she made that final push, the final sprint
with probably 250... Right before you made that final turn.
It was when she made that move. So you stayed
calm. Were you getting excited as the time went by
(26:37):
because you were up there in front?
Speaker 5 (26:39):
Oh, yeah. I was very excited. I have a little
bit in trouble. I've been dealing this for a very
long time. I fell sick in the middle of... There
is in the middle of training.
Speaker 2 (26:50):
I guess, stomach distress?
Speaker 5 (26:51):
It was a stomach thing. There is a lot of
thing that I get tested with. I've been dealing for a
very long time, so I did not know it was
there. I got it in Houston and it was just keep
going and I was like-
Speaker 2 (27:06):
But that's when you set the American record. So you
fought through it in Houston?
Speaker 5 (27:09):
Yeah, I had similar issue, but it wasn't hard because
I barely get it that time I think. So I
just like, I've been getting better because I had to
see the doctor and work him through it, but I
felt it today during the race.
Speaker 2 (27:28):
You did.
Speaker 5 (27:28):
And I was trying not to get me that because when
I ran the half- marathon at the (inaudible) Championships, it
was a great race and halfway through I had similar
issue. But it wasn't only during my race, during my
training, people think, oh, because you're getting too nervous you're
getting this, but it wasn't.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
It's happening in practice too.
Speaker 5 (27:49):
It wasn't. So I'll wake up early in the morning, feel
nauseous. I will even turn out the day in the
middle of the night I was getting it. So now
I'm okay. I'm good
Speaker 2 (28:01):
You're working on it? Are you working on diet or
is it a muscle thing? What are you working on?
Speaker 5 (28:04):
I have to work on everything. Also I have a
prescribed medication for it.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
Okay.
Speaker 5 (28:10):
Yeah, I was going through a hard time a little
bit. I take me away from my training. I wasn't
able to train for a while after this championship, but
now I'm feeling healthy and feeling good but-
Speaker 2 (28:23):
Obviously.
Speaker 5 (28:23):
So when I travel, stay away from my home for
a while, just getting the outside food, kind of get
me back to-
Speaker 2 (28:32):
You got to figure that out.
Speaker 5 (28:33):
I have to figure it out, but I always get
so I was just not trying to get into that
in my mind. I was like, I had this in my training. I
know how I can get through it. Let's do this.
Speaker 2 (28:47):
The mind is a powerful thing, right? It overtakes the body a lot of times.
Speaker 5 (28:50):
It does. It does a lot.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (28:52):
Yeah. At some point I was like, oh my god.
I know. I know I have something, but then a
few minutes, a few seconds later I'll calm down.
Speaker 2 (29:03):
Calm down. Okay, good. So last question. What does the rest
of the season look like for you? Are you going
to stay on the roads, go back to the track?
We do have a world championships in September in Tokyo.
So where will we find you?
Speaker 5 (29:15):
Yeah. Oh my goodness. I'm all over in the place
right now.
Speaker 2 (29:19):
Because you're good at everything. You're good at cross. You're
good at the roads and the track.
Speaker 5 (29:23):
I'm trying, I'm trying, but I'm going to go back
to track again. I'm going to do the 5K Prefontaine
Classic in July and that's going to be a very fast
race and from that I'm going to focus on the (inaudible) Championship
after that. I was thinking just to focus on road
racing, but we'll see. Every time I was like, this
(29:47):
is my last season. I'm going to run only road
racing. I'm going to move up to longer distances. But
then when the track comes, I was like, I can't
skip it.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
You love it.
Speaker 5 (29:57):
I have to go back and do it.
Speaker 2 (29:59):
Oh, we love seeing you everywhere and especially here in
New York City. So congratulations. The American record holder of
the New York Mini, oh my goodness, congratulations.
Speaker 5 (30:07):
Thank you. I mean to be in New York City,
just always bring that energy with the fans and everything,
so thank you so much. I'm really happy to be here and
look at this, only women's race.
Speaker 2 (30:22):
I know.
Speaker 5 (30:22):
I'm just so proud of that, that womens do anything.
Speaker 2 (30:26):
We sure can.
Speaker 5 (30:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
You better celebrate today.
Speaker 5 (30:29):
I have to. This is very special. But I'll thank
the organizers and everyone who make it possible. Just it means so
much for... We are womens.
Speaker 2 (30:42):
Yeah. Hey, everyone, thanks again for joining me today on
Set The Pace. I'm Carrie Tollefson and it was so
much fun to have this special edition with the 2025
Mastercard New York Mini 10K Champions and Weini Kelati. We'll see
you next time at the Fifth Avenue Mile. And of
course, the Marathon.
Speaker 6 (31:12):
New York Roadrunners is a non- profit organization with a
vision to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the
transformative power of running. The support of members and donors
like you helps us achieve our mission to transform the
health and wellbeing of our communities through inclusive and accessible
running experiences and empowering all to achieve their potential. Learn
(31:34):
more and contribute at nyrr. org/ donate.
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