• Meanwhile, Obiri confirmed she is set to relocate to the US, alongside her family.
• Obiri, who is set to relocate to the American State of Denver after signing a long-term deal with On Running, a Swiss sportswear company, said it would be a huge achievement defending her title in her ‘new home.’
Image: FILE
Despite her recent exploits in road running, world 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri is keen on defending her title at the World Championships set for July in Oregon, United States of America.
Obiri, who is set to relocate to the American State of Denver after signing a long term deal with On Running, a Swiss sportswear company, said it would be a huge achievement defending her title in her ‘new home.’
Speaking during a training session at Vapour grounds in Ngong, Obiri — a two-time Olympic silver medallist over 5,000m — said she feels she still has what it takes to chase a hat-trick of titles in her favourite track event.
“You know I love 5,000m very much. I have been in negotiations with my coach and manager to see to it that I defend my title,” said Obiri, who won the 5,000m titles in 2017 (London) and 2019 (Doha).
“There are not so many strong runners in the race at the moment — save for Sifan Hassan — and now that I have a wild card, I feel I should not let the opportunity pass by.”
“We will be four of us (from Kenya) and this puts us in a good place to deliver some medals. I do not even need to attend the Kenyan trials since I have some planned races but I am still very keen on Oregon. Sometimes it’s good to look back before vanishing completely from the track,” chuckled Obiri.
Despite these track ambitions, the decorated runner — who has global honours in 1,500m, 4x1,500, Mile, 3,000m (indoors and outdoors), 5,000m,10,000m and cross country — added she is currently training for the Istanbul Half Marathon set for March 27, where she hopes to improve on the 64:51 she clocked while finishing third on her 21km debut at the same race last year.
“I fell in love with Istanbul and I am going back this year. It was a fantastic debut race and I am certain I’ll perform better this time around. I have worked on some of my flaws and I feel in great shape,” said Obiri as she smarted from a rigorous speed work Thursday morning.
Meanwhile, Obiri confirmed she is set to relocate to the US, alongside her family.
“On Running are currently pursuing my papers for permanent residence in the US and if it goes through, I will surely grab the opportunity,” she said, adding that she will be in good company due to the high number of Kenyan runners training and competing in America.
“It is something my husband and I have discussed and once the paperwork is done, we will surely go. I know my family will be happy to taste a different culture.”
In regard to quitting Nike, whom she worked with for 11 years, Obiri said theirs was a cordial relationship and parting ways was for the benefit of both parties.
“Even though it was purely business, I had a great working relationship with the Nike family and now that I am moving on, I still have great respect for them,” she observed.