Obiri set for second marathon in Tokyo or London

Having made her marathon debut on 6 November at the New York City Marathon, finishing sixth, Hellen Obiri is now preparing for her second race in the classic distance set for the first quarter of 2023. 

The two-time world 5000m champion who made the switch to marathon last year just a few months after winning silver in 10,000m at the World Championships began her 2023 defending her Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Cross country 10km title. 

Obiri, Kandie continue KDF cross-country supremacy as Kamworor, Chepkoech rule Police

Obiri clocked 32:58.9 to win ahead of former world half marathon record holder Joyceline Jepkosgei who came home in 33:04.8 as Esther Borura completed the podium places in 33:07.8.

"Cross country is part of my build up for any season and I will be running at the national championship set for 21 January too. 

These races give me the chance to test my body in terms of speed and enduring difficult terrains so moving to marathon does not mean I will stop running the cross country," Obiri said. 

In New York, the two-time Olympics silver medalist clocked 2:25.49 for sixth in a race won by compatriot Sharon Lokedi on her debut in 2:23.23 with Kenyan-born Israeli Lorna Salpeter second and Gotytom Gebreslase completing the podium places.

Veteran marathoner Edna Kiplaget finished just outside the podium places with Viola Cheptoo beating Obiri to fifth place. 

"New York was a tough course but for a debut I did not do badly. It was a test of where I am in terms of training and now I need to train more and focus on improving my speed. 

My focus is running a faster marathon in April. I will either do Tokyo or London Marathon, my manager is yet to confirm which one but I am getting ready and focusing on getting better times," Obiri revealed. 

Tokyo Marathon opens the season for the World Marathon Majors (WMM) on 5 March with April witnessing two events, the Boston Marathon on 17 and London on 23. Berlin is set for 24 September, Chicago 8 October and finally New York on 5 November. There are numerous other events in the classic distance across the world for athletes to compete in. 

Meanwhile, since ditching Nike for On Athletics Club, a Swiss sportswear company, the 32-year-old has managed to sort her visa hitches and moved her training to Boulder, Colorado.

"Training in Kenya has been very successful and I hope the switch to the U.S will bring further achievements. I have mh coach there and a company that is giving me full support. 

I have all the equipment I need and the support of the running community there which I believe will give me an edge and improve my speed," Obiri offered.