Chebet seeks to build on Barcelona's record breaking run in weekend race in Elgoibar

Kenya's Beatrice Chebet will be one of the marquee athletes at the Cross Internacional Juan Muguerza, the 10th World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meeting of the season, in the Spanish town of Elgoibar on Sunday, January 7.

Chebet showed her dominance on the road, as she set a world 5km record in Barcelona thanks to a 14:13 performance

Chebet breaks world 5km record in Barcelona

The women's 7.62km contest pits world cross-country champion Chebet against her fellow Kenyan, Edinah Jebitok.

The 23-year-old Chebet made her debut in Elgoibar four years ago when, still 19, she finished as runner-up, only beaten by Hellen Obiri.

The world 5000m bronze medalist returned to Elgoibar in 2022 as the pre-race favourite but had to settle for second again behind Jebitok, so Chebet will be eager to take revenge on this occasion.

Sunday's race will mark Chebet’s third appearance this season following her convincing wins in Atapuerca (29 October) and Barcelona (31 December).

As for Jebitok, who finished eighth at the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, she is enjoying a fantastic cross-country campaign, as the 22-year-old kicked off her season with a third spot in Atapuerca prior to a winning streak of four races in San Sebastian (5 November), Seville (12), Eldoret (2 December), and Venta de Banos (17).

Another top Kenyan will be in contention, as 20-year-old Grace Nawowuna is also in the line-up.

The fourth-place finisher in Bathurst, who is the holder of a remarkable 29:47.42 10,000m performance, should improve on her outing in Eldoret last month, when she could not go beyond seventh place, more than one minute adrift of Jebitok.

Ebenyo and Battocletti on hunt for Campaccio crowns

Ethiopia's Asmarech Anley will have the tough task of preventing a Kenyan sweep of the podium. The 18-year-old showed fine form over 10km last weekend in Madrid by taking second place thanks to a 30:31 clocking and should be a dangerous outsider on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Spanish trio of European cross country eighth-place finisher Irene Sanchez-Escribano, Olympic 3000m steeplechase finalist Carolina Robles, and Isabel Barreiro will be aiming for strong performances alongside the British duo of Lauren McNeil and Sarah Astin.

©World Athletics.