Hellen Obiri to Defend Title at The Great North Run
Defending Champion Hellen Obiri will 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.
Obiri faces stiff competition from the current Olympic Marathon Champion and women’s only world record holder Jepchirchir. Gebrekidan who took second place in last year’s Berlin Marathon and Almaz who claimed the 2016 Olympic 10,000m title are also expected to compete for top honours.
British interest will come in the form Charlotte Purdue who took third place at last year’s event and Jess Piasecki who competed in the Olympic Marathon in Tokyo and has since posted a 67.20 personal best. Other brits include Amy Eloise-Markovc who will debut over the half marathon after her European Indoor title earlier in the year and Verity Ockenden who claimed a bronze medal at the same championships.
Obiri said, “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”.
The Great North Run, the world’s biggest half marathon and the UKs biggest running event, will be televised live on BBC Sport.
60,000 people have entered the event which will take place on Sunday 11 September, returning to its iconic city to sea route after two years of pandemic related changes.
For more information visit greatrun.org/north.
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