Obiri to launch season in cross country in Spain

World cross country champion Hellen Obiri from Kenya will return to Spain to defend her title at the fifth leg of this winter's World Athletics Cross Country Permit meetings in Elgoibar town on Sunday.

Obiri will lead a strong Africa representation in Elgoibar as she launches her season campaign, which she hopes will culminate with her improving her silver medals from Rio Olympics to gold at the Tokyo Games over the 5,000m distance.

However, the decision to venture into cross country, seeking to boost her endurance, will see her skip the World Athletics Indoor Athletics Tour and the World Indoor Championships, which will be held in Nanjing, China from March 13-15.

"I will compete in cross country starting in Elgoibar. Last season, I knew I was in good shape after my 29:59 10km run in Madrid on the New Year's Eve of 2019," said Obiri.

"I will compete at the Olympics and my main goal for this year is to win 5,000m at Tokyo Olympics," she said.

Obiri, who is also the Africa Champion in 5,000m, will be up against Kenyans Beatrice Chebet, the world junior champion and third last year in Elgoibar, and Eva Chorono, who was eighth in the 2019 World Cup.