Two-time 5,000m Olympic silver medalist Hellen Obiri and reigning world half marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir headline the 2022 Great North Run slated for Sunday, September 11 in Newcastle, United Kingdom.
According to the Great North Run website, the Kenyan duo will line up against the likes of the Ethiopian duo of Ayana Almaz and Hiwot Gebrekidan in the half marathon race.
“Defending Champion Hellen Obiri will be back on Tyneside in September. The two-time Olympic Silver medalist and three-time world champion will be lining up against her compatriot Peres Jepchirchir and Ethiopian duo of Hiwot Gebrekidan and Ayana Almaz,” read a statement from the organizers.
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Obiri who recently switched from track to road races will be seeking to defend the title she won last year.
The Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) runner clocked 1:07.42 to bag the 2021 title ahead of Scotland’s Eilish McColgan and Great Britain’s Charlotte Purdue.
Obiri will face stiff competition from her compatriot Jepchirchir who enjoyed a fine form before injuries complicated her program.
Peres failed to grace the recently concluded 2022 World Athletics Championships held in Eugene, United States after picking up an injury days before the Kenyan marathon team traveled to Eugene, United States.
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Gebrekidan, the 2021 Berlin Marathon winner is another athlete who is likely to give Obiri a hard time.
Speaking ahead of the race, Obiri revealed that she is up to the challenge.
"I’m very excited to be coming back to the UK and competing at the Great North Run.
"The competition as always will be tough but I like the challenge and hope the crowd will come to support us and see a good race,” she stated.
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