Kenya's Hellen Obiri to train in US for New York Marathon
World 10,000 metres silver medallist Hellen Obiri plans to travel to America ahead of time before making her debut in New York Marathon race on November 6.
In an interview with Nation Sport, the double 5,000m world champion said that she will be heading to Colorado, USA to acclimatise.
Obiri said that she will be depending on her new coach Dathan Ritzenhein, who heads On Athletics Club, for guidance.
Ritzenhein is a former athlete who has previously competed in the New York Marathon.
Obiri, who has plans to relocate to the US, said that she is not moving yet.
“There is still some paperwork that I’m working on before finalising my move to the US. But, I will be going to Colorado for training because I want to acclimatise before the race. I look forward to a good race, but the most important thing for me is to learn,” she said.
The World Athletics Cross Country Championships title holder, who has been training in Ngong, Kajiado County, said that when she stepped up to marathon racing, it was not easy because the training is different.
“Marathon training is different from what I was used to while competing in track races. At fast it was tricky, but I persevered and I am now used to it,” she said.
The Olympic 5,000m silver medallist said that she was inspired to switch to marathon by two-time world marathon champion Edna Kiplagat.
“I was really inspired by Edna Kiplagat who has been doing well for long and is still competing. I have interacted with her, and when I learnt that she was part of the elite field at New York Marathon, I felt encouraged that she will be racing with me,” said Obiri.
“Before the competition, I look forward to train with Edna in the US.”
The Istanbul Half Marathon champion said that she took a leap of faith to compete in full marathon after performing well in half marathon races.
Obiri clocked 64:38 to win this year’s Istanbul Half Marathon after having triumphed in the same race last year in 64:51.
The former 5,000m African champion has had a good season which climaxed in her winning a 10,000m silver medal at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA on July 16.
In New York, Obiri will be up against defending champion and Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir, Edna, debutante Sharon Lokedi, Caroline Rotich and US-based Viola Lagat, who was second last year.
Other top names in the race are newly crowned world champion Ethiopian Gotytom Gebreslase and her compatriot Senbere Teferi, world bronze medallist Israel’s Lorna Chemtai Salpeter, USA’s Sara Hall and Aliphine Tuliamuk.
posted Monday August 22nd
by Bernard Rotich