Welcome to Starter Pack, a gear-obsessed series that gives WIRED readers a peek into how notable personalities live, shop, and tinker.
Marathon runner Hellen Obiri starts her day like many of us: by checking her phone. First, she looks at the weather, then her schedule, and finally her group chats. After that, “I say a word of thanks to God,” the 35-year-old Kenyan athlete tells WIRED on the phone. “To protect me because I’m going to have a long day. From there, I prepare myself for my run.”
This Sunday, November 2, 2025, marks Obiri’s fourth New York City Marathon—which, as of last year, was the biggest marathon in the world. It runs through all five boroughs, crossing iconic bridges and ending in Central Park. The 2022 race was her debut; she placed sixth. “It was amazing,” she says, recalling the roar of the crowd. “When you do something like this for the first time and you like the place, you’re going to say, ‘This is my best place to be.’ New York is my best place to be.”
If she’s lacing up for a 6:30 a.m. run (which she often does), she keeps breakfast light: a banana. If she’s running later—say 9:30—or on marathon day, she has a more traditional breakfast: cereal, two slices of toast, scrambled eggs, and a banana, washed down with black tea. In 2023, Obiri won the marathon, and in 2024, she finished second—just 14 seconds behind Sheila Chepkirui. When I ask what she’s aiming for this Sunday, she doesn’t miss a beat: “I’m looking for a win.”
Below, Obiri shares her marathon day starter pack.
Running Shoes
Photograph: On Running
On Running
Cloudboom Strike LS
Obiri believes that everyone should own a pair of running shoes. For her, that shoe is the Cloudboom Strike LS. She has worn these shoes while winning the Boston Marathon and competing in the Paris Olympics, and the NYC Marathon. The ultralight mesh upper, crafted with On’s LightSpray technology, feels nearly elastic, wrapping around the foot like a second skin. The hyper-foam max cushioning provides the plushest ride offered by On, delivering springy propulsion when speed is most essential. The laceless design eliminates any distractions during runs, and the slightly elevated heel (4 mm higher than the forefoot) shifts the load forward, making it ideal for midfoot and forefoot strikers like Obiri.
The Best Running Socks
Courtesy of On
For marathons, Obiri steers clear of new socks that might cause discomfort. Her trusted companion is the Elite Run Sock High, which is almost certain to accompany her during the race. Crafted from lightweight polyamide fabric, these socks ensure her feet remain cool and dry, even over the longest distances. The compression zones, ventilation panels, and built-in arch support work together to minimize fatigue, allowing Obiri to maintain peak performance. Plus, extra cushioning around the Achilles tendon protects against blisters, so she can lock in on the race ahead.
Open-Ear Headphones
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Courtesy of Shokz
When Obiri runs, she listens to gospel music. Her self-made playlist features Christian gospel tracks from Kenyan artists, including Msanii Music Group. Her current favorite pair of workout headphones is the OpenRun Pro 2, an upgraded version of the classic bone-conduction headphones. The new dual air conduction units enhance power, depth, and bass, while minimizing the bone conduction “tickle.” These headphones are rated IP55 for sweat and rain resistance, and the physical buttons make it easy to pause or adjust the volume without breaking her stride.
Running Fuel
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Courtesy of Maurten
Maurten
Gel 100 (12 Servings)
For Obiri, Maurten gels are essential. Each packet contains 25 grams of carbohydrates in a hydrogel form, which is less syrupy and much easier to digest than most endurance gels. Made with just six ingredients—water, glucose, fructose, and three gelling agents (sodium alginate, gluconic acid, and calcium carbonate)—these gels are both clean and efficient. Obiri also carries the Maurten Race Bottle, which has a capacity of 400 ml.
A Light, Versatile Pack
Courtesy of On
“I need to travel with my handbag,” Obiri says. “I don’t like to carry fancy bags, so I use the Track Pack for everything.” Made from ripstop fabric with a durable nylon base, this versatile pack is designed with a variety of thoughtful details. It includes both external and internal zipper pockets for organized storage, compression straps for adjusting its size, and generously sized bottle holders to keep you hydrated. It’s perfect for athletes and anyone with an active lifestyle.
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