Kenyan female runner aims to break Vietnam's record at VM Quy Nhon

Despite starting to run quite late, Muriuki still attracted attention right in her first tournament five years ago. The 39-year-old runner finished the Athens Marathon 2018 in 2 hours 36 minutes 46 seconds.

She has stood on the podium many times, including at the Kuala Lumpur Marathon 2022 when she finished in 2 hours 44 minutes 16 seconds.

Her most impressive and memorable tournament was the 2019 Gran Canaria Maraton in Spain, where she set her PR (personal best) record in 2 hours 33 minutes.

If she can repeat that feat, she will break the Vietnamese women's marathon record, which is 2 hours 45 minutes 9 seconds, set by Hoang Thi Thanh at the 2016 National Athletics Championships.

To win a marathon, Muriuki thinks runners need God's help. Based on her training plans and results, she believes she would have a chance to win and break Vietnam's marathon record in good conditions.

Shelmith Nyawira Muriuki on the track of the Durban Marathon 2023. Photo courtesy of Durban Marathon

At VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight 2023, Ezekiel Kemboi Omullo from Kenya convincingly won the men's full marathon by finishing in 2 hours 30 minutes 3 seconds. He also became the first foreign champion of VnExpress Marathon.

Muriuki said: "I planned to compete at the VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight 2023 but could not because of my busy schedule. I am very excited to meet the community of runners in Vietnam. My family has never been to nor discovered more about this country."

VnExpress Marathon Sparkling Quy Nhon 2023 will take place on June 11, expected to attract 10,000 participants. Runners will start at 3 a.m., and run along the city's most stunning coastal roads such as Xuan Dieu and Nguyen Tat Thanh, Thi Nai Bridge, and Phuong Mai sand hill.