NAIROBI, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- World 5,000m champion Helen Obiri has confirmed she will launch her 2019 season running in Elgoibar, Spain at the Juan Muguerza International cross country meeting on Sunday.
The event is part of the IAAF Cross country permit meeting spread across Europe.
Speaking in Nairobi prior to her departure, Obiri said though she has no intentions of running at the World Cross Country Championships, she intends to use the race to build her endurance ahead of the World Indoor Tour, which starts on Jan. 26 in Dusseldorf, Germany.
"I am on my way back to Spain for the Cross International Juan Muguerza in Elgoibar on Sunday. I have to boost my endurance and be in top form for the indoor season," said Obiri in Nairobi.
Obiri, who is also the Olympic 5,000m silver medalist, failed to reclaim the World Indoor Championship title in Birmingham, England last year when she finished fourth in the 3,000m race.
"It is a busy year for me and I want to be in top form. I have started well in road race and now the cross country will be a valuable addition to my training and build up," she added.
This season's cross country permit series is made up of nine meetings and will form a key part in the preparation of many athletes who will be targeting the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark in March, 2019.
