Obiri to move to Marathon running in September

Two-time 5000m world champion Hellen Obiri is set to switch to marathon running in September according her new kit sponsor On Running.

The multiple Olympic silver medalist won her first race in her new kit last weekend, competing in the Northern Ireland International Cross Country, a World Athletics Cross Country Tour Silver event, in Dundonald.

Obiri wins Ireland event in New kit

She clocked 26:44 to secure a 20-second triumph in the women’s 8km race on the same day Athletics Kenya (AK) held the national cross country championship in Eldoret that she skipped for the Northern Ireland event.

Obiri is expected to feature at the World Athletics Memorial Agnes Tirop Cross Country race in Eldoret, on 12 Febuary.

After that, she will turn her focus on track racing. According to her new sponsor, she is looking to take a shot at another 5,000m medal at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

 “She will move up to the marathon distance in the fall of 2022 and we will have our new premium-plated racing shoe on display for her debut,” Steve DeKoker, On’s head of global sports marketing revealed in an interview after her race in Dundonald.

Obiri’s signing is a huge acquisition for the Swiss sporting brand.

“You need world-class athletes to build world-class products. Our goal is to build On as a global brand, and we need world-class athletes to help us develop.”

Obiri outlines 2022 season plans ahead of busy schedule

In a previous interview with Mozzart Sport, the five-time Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF) cross country champion had singled out Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Marathon as her first half marathon race outside the country before she settles on subsequent races.

Previously set to take place on Friday 18 February 2022, the 15th edition of the gold label race will now be held a day later on Saturday 19 February. The changes were effected following a decision by the UAE government to introduce a new workday and weekend schedule, effective by 1st January 2022.