First win for Kenya’s Lilian Chebii
In her first Grandma’s Marathon, Lilian Chebii of Kenya crossed the finish line with an unofficial time of 2:25:14. This is a personal best for Lilian.
The 31 year old had built herself a healthy lead early in the race, in fact Lilian lead from the start. She was running by herself for most of the race, sticking to a 5:25-5:35 pace.
“The race was very good,” Chebii said. Lilian’s coach translated for her. “Then somewhere she got into some heat, but then she looked and didn’t see much competition so she decided to take off.” Her coach said that at about 10 kilometers, Lilian decided to tackle the race by herself to get to the finish line.
Lilian said through her coach that after Pittsburgh, she went to her training camp to focus on Grandma’s Marathon. “There are some hills there, so she prepared very well.”
Earlier this year, Chebii placed second in the Pittsburgh Half Marathon race. She has only one other marathon in her career, where she finished in second at the 2024 Nairobi City Marathon.
Coming in second was Aubrey Frentheway of Utah. Aubrey’s time was 2:27:14.
More Grandma’s Stories:
Joe Reichow brings the Grandma’s Marathon title back to Minnesota
First win for Kenya’s Lilian Chebii
Annie Frisbie is a two-time Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Champion
Big win for debut run of Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon
Sanclemente gets back-to-back wins in Grandma’s Wheelchair Marathon
de Souza is the 2025 Women’s Wheeler Champion
Mackenzie Myran, 12, won the William A. Irvin 5K. She posed with Dakotah Popehn after the race. Videographer Glenn Kellahan and Sports Reporter Spencer Pierce laugh it up at the finish line. A scenic view behind the runners. Spectators and runners Spectators and runners Our crew – Alicia Tipcke, Kara Goucher and Carrie Tollefson provide all the commentary on this year’s Grandma’s Marathon. Runner. Dakotah Popehn heads to the finish. A strong finish. Runners and spectators head to the finish line, as a ship come in. Very Focused. Running in the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. Runners with a scenic view on Canal Park Drive. Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon finishers taking a much needed break. Our crew – Alicia Tipcke, Kara Goucher and Carrie Tollefson provide all the commentary on this year’s Grandma’s Marathon. Dakotah Popehn out on the course, behind the DECC. Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon runners at the finish line. Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon runners at the finish line. Cheering on friends. From a Gallaxy Far Far Away… Brave Like Gabe rivals, Shannon Savoia and Steve Moe stopped for a photo op with Spencer Pierce. And Grandma stopped to say hello too.
