Welcome to Starter Pack, a gear-obsessed collection that offers WIRED readers a peek into how notable personalities stay, store, and tinker.
Marathon runner Hellen Obiri begins her day like many people: by checking her telephone. First, she seems on the climate, then her schedule, and at last her group chats. After that, “I say a word of thanks to God,” the 35-year-old Kenyan athlete tells WIRED on the telephone. “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 Metropolis Marathon—which, as of final yr, was the most important marathon on this planet. It runs by means of all 5 boroughs, crossing iconic bridges and ending in Central Park. The 2022 race was her debut; she positioned sixth. “It was amazing,” she says, recalling the roar of the gang. “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 typically does), she retains breakfast mild: a banana. If she’s operating later—say 9:30—or on marathon day, she has a extra conventional breakfast: cereal, two slices of toast, scrambled eggs, and a banana, washed down with black tea. In 2023, Obiri gained the marathon, and in 2024, she completed second—simply 14 seconds behind Sheila Chepkirui. After I ask what she’s aiming for this Sunday, she doesn’t miss a beat: “I’m looking for a win.”
Under, Obiri shares her marathon day starter pack.
Operating Footwear
{Photograph}: On Operating
On Operating
Cloudboom Strike LS
Obiri believes that everybody ought to personal a pair of trainers. For her, that shoe is the Cloudboom Strike LS. She has worn these sneakers whereas profitable the Boston Marathon and competing within the Paris Olympics, and the NYC Marathon. The ultralight mesh higher, crafted with On’s LightSpray know-how, feels almost elastic, wrapping across the foot like a second pores and skin. The hyper-foam max cushioning offers the plushest trip provided by On, delivering springy propulsion when velocity is most important. The laceless design eliminates any distractions throughout runs, and the marginally elevated heel (4 mm increased than the forefoot) shifts the load ahead, making it ultimate for midfoot and forefoot strikers like Obiri.
The Greatest Operating Socks
Courtesy of On
For marathons, Obiri steers clear of latest socks which may trigger discomfort. Her trusted companion is the Elite Run Sock Excessive, which is sort of sure to accompany her through the race. Crafted from light-weight polyamide material, these socks guarantee her toes stay cool and dry, even over the longest distances. The compression zones, air flow panels, and built-in arch help work collectively to attenuate fatigue, permitting Obiri to keep up peak efficiency. Plus, further cushioning across the Achilles tendon protects towards blisters, so she will lock in on the race forward.
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Courtesy of Shokz
When Obiri runs, she listens to gospel music. Her self-made playlist options Christian gospel tracks from Kenyan artists, together with Msanii Music Group. Her present favourite pair of exercise headphones is the OpenRun Professional 2, an upgraded model of the basic bone-conduction headphones. The brand new twin air conduction models improve energy, depth, and bass, whereas minimizing the bone conduction “tickle.” These headphones are rated IP55 for sweat and rain resistance, and the bodily buttons make it straightforward to pause or regulate the amount with out breaking her stride.
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Courtesy of Maurten
Maurten
Gel 100 (12 Servings)
For Obiri, Maurten gels are important. Every packet accommodates 25 grams of carbohydrates in a hydrogel kind, which is much less syrupy and far simpler to digest than most endurance gels. Made with simply six elements—water, glucose, fructose, and three gelling brokers (sodium alginate, gluconic acid, and calcium carbonate)—these gels are each clear and environment friendly. Obiri additionally carries the Maurten Race Bottle, which has a capability of 400 ml.
A Gentle, 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.” Constituted of ripstop material with a sturdy nylon base, this versatile pack is designed with quite a lot of considerate particulars. It contains each exterior and inner zipper pockets for organized storage, compression straps for adjusting its dimension, and generously sized bottle holders to maintain you hydrated. It is good for athletes and anybody with an energetic life-style.
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