The cross-country season is always a good starting point for athletes in a long and grueling season in athletics. Many athletes in track and the road races use the cross-country races for speedwork, to gauge their preparedness for the season.
It is the same for world 5000m champion Hellen Obiri who has so far taken part in two cross country races, the women 10km race during the Kenya Defence Forces Championship, and the mixed relays during the national cross-country championship. Her main focus in 2021 is the Olympic games in Tokyo Japan where she will be going for gold to complete her impressive collection of medals.