Obiri to shift from track races to marathon after global championships
World 5000m champion Hellen Obiri, confesses her love for the track runs deep, the reason she wants to compete one last time on track at the World Championships scheduled for Oregon, United States in under two weeks.
The Commonwealth Games champion further is unsure which event to pursue at the Club Games in Birmingham after Athletics Kenya said that only the top two athletes who cross the line will earn a ticket to both competitions.
“I have fallen in love with the track, that is why I will miss the fond memories I have had here.
“I have now made my decision, I am shifting to the marathon after defending my title in Oregon,” Obiri disclosed to People Sport.
Last year, Obiri had said that the Olympic Games, where she clinched silver in her favourite 5,000m race, would be her last competition on the track, but the 33-year-old now wants one last goodbye on the tartan.
“A wise person changes mind sometimes, but a fool never, “she said while quoting Australian theologian Desmond Ford.
“The plan to retire from the track is still there, but I have talked to my coaches and they are advising me, genuinely I think my fans want that too.
“I have mostly concentrated on the roads because my years have gone and I no longer have the same speed for the track,” she explained.
Devastating finish
The last part of her statement can be challenged as her devastating finish which is still there and was on the display as she won the 10,000m race at the National trials for the World Championships and Commonwealth Games at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani.
“Most importantly, I wanted to come here and test myself because I have not done a track race for a while.
“I have only been concentrating on road races. It was tough and the girls are really strong and gave me a good challenge. Wining gives me a lot of hope for the next competition,” she said after her victory.
