What Helen O’Berry packs for running the 2025 New York City Marathon

Welcome to beginners Pack, a gear-obsessed series that gives WIRED readers a peek into how notable figures live, shop, and tinker.

Marathon runner Helen O’Berry 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. Afterward, the 35-year-old Kenyan athlete told WIRED over the phone: “I say thank you to God.” “To protect me because I’m going to have a long day. From there, I prepare myself for the run.”

Sunday, November 2, 2025 marks the fourth Obery New York City Marathon, which as of last year was the largest marathon in the world. It passes through all five boroughs, crosses famous bridges and ends 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 say, ‘This is the best place for me.’ New York is the best place for me.”

If she puts on her running shoes at 6:30 a.m. (which she often does), she keeps her breakfast light: a banana. If she runs later — say 9:30 — or on the day of the marathon, she eats 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 asked her what her goal was this Sunday, she didn’t miss a beat: “I’m looking for a win.”

Below, Aubrey shares her starter kit for marathon day.

Running shoes

Image: On the run

On running

Cloudboom Strike LS

O’Berry believes everyone should own a pair of running shoes. For her, that shoe is the Cloudboom Strike LS. She wore these shoes while winning the Boston Marathon and competing in the Paris Olympics and the New York City Marathon. The ultra-light mesh upper, made with On’s LightSpray technology, feels almost flexible, wrapping around the foot like a second skin. Ultra-Foam Extreme Cushioning delivers the best ride On has to offer, providing pulsating propulsion when speed is most essential. The laceless design eliminates any distraction while running, and the slightly raised heel (4mm higher than the ball of the foot) shifts the load forward, making it ideal for midfoot and forefoot strikers like Obiri.

Best running socks

Courtesy of ON

For marathons, O’Berry avoids wearing new socks that may cause discomfort. Her trusty companion is the Elite Run Sock High, which will almost certainly accompany her during the race. Made from lightweight polyamide fabric, these socks ensure their feet stay cool and dry, even over the longest distances. Compression zones, ventilation panels and built-in arch support work together to reduce fatigue, allowing O’Berry to maintain peak performance. Plus, extra padding around the Achilles tendon protects against blisters, so you can keep racing ahead.

Open ear headphones

Courtesy of Shockz

When she runs Obiri, she listens to gospel music. The playlist, which she prepared herself, features Christian gospel music tracks by Kenyan artists, including Msanii Music Group. My current favorite pair of headphones for working out are the OpenRun Pro 2, an upgraded version of the classic bone conduction headphones. New dual air conduction units improve power, depth and bass, while reducing bone conduction ‘tickling’. These headphones are IP55 rated for sweat and rain resistance, and the physical buttons make it easy to pause or adjust the volume without breaking their stride.

Fuel operation

Courtesy of Morten

Morten

Gel 100 (12 Servings)

For Obiri, Morten gels are essential. Each packet contains 25 grams of carbohydrates in hydrogel form, which is less sweet and easier to digest than most hard gels. Made with just six ingredients — water, glucose, fructose, and three gelling agents (sodium alginate, gluconic acid, and calcium carbonate) — these gels are clean and effective. Auberi also carries a 400ml Morten Racing bottle.

Light and versatile pack

Courtesy of ON

“I needs “I travel with my hand luggage,” says Obiri. “I don’t like to carry luxury 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. Includes exterior and interior zippered pockets for organized storage, compression straps to adjust, and oversized bottle holders to keep you hydrated. It is perfect for athletes and anyone with an active lifestyle.

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