NAIROBI, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Betsy Saina is relishing the challenge of the marathon as she prepares to compete in her debut race on Nov. 5 in New York City.
Saina, a finalist at the 10,000m distance at the Rio Olympics, is shifting the gears to the 42km distance and will start with New York race where she will come up against compatriot and defending champion Mary Keitany.
Saina has been training in Eldoret under the tutelage of Patrick Sang and Richard Metto in the build-up to the New York Marathon.
"It's exciting training in Kenya and for sure nothing is easy! Everything needs some hard training but I'm having a good transition from track. I will not be in New York to ruin anyone's party but my goal is to put myself in the mix and be competitive. Marathon is a different animal so I will be really careful. I will train hard and hope to stay healthy and have a great race. We still have two months to put everything together," she said.
However prior to her visit to the Big Apple race, Saina will be racing in the Great North Run in Newcastle on Sept. 10.
Elsewhere, World 5,000m champion Helen Obiri has ruled out competing in road race next season as she wants to cement her place in the track.
Obiri has said one of her main goals next season is to improve her 5000m personal best time of 14:18.37.
"After winning the World Championships, I really wanted to win the Diamond League as well. I took the lead early in the race because I wanted to control the race. I felt really comfortable. Next year there are no major championships, but my goal will be to improve my personal best time," she said.
The Kenyan is among the highest earners from this year's Diamond League proceeds having pocketed 93,000 U.S. dollars. The amounts do not include any bonuses and appearance fees paid to the athlete.
Obiri won six of the seven races in the circuit. Meanwhile, reigning champions James Mwangi from Kenya and Hiwot Gebrekidan from Ethiopia are confirmed for the Copenhagen Half Marathon on Sept 17.
Mwangi faces teammates Stephen Kibet (58:54 PB) and Leonard Barsoton (debut) and Ethiopia's Yigrem Demelash (59:19 PB). Gebrekidan faces Kenyans Brigid Kosgei and Mary Wacera in the women's race.
