Fresh off her world record run on New Year’s Eve, Beatrice Chebet is set to return to the road this Sunday, January 5, as she headlines the women’s elite field at the Cross Internacional Juan Muguerza – the 13th World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meeting of the season – in Elgoibar, Spain.
In the men’s race, Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi leads a strong line-up.
Both distance stars showcased their stellar form last Tuesday, with Chebet setting an impressive 5km world record of 13:54 in Barcelona, while Aregawi claimed victory at the San Silvestre Vallecana, establishing a course record of 26:32 on a slightly downhill 10km circuit.
The women’s 7.62km race in Elgoibar features Chebet as the overwhelming favorite. A two-time world cross-country champion, the 24-year-old is the defending champion and will be making her fourth appearance at this event. Chebet previously secured runner-up finishes in 2020 and 2022 before claiming victory last year.
Chebet comes into the race after an exceptional 2024 season, during which she won Olympic gold medals in the 5000m and 10,000m in Paris. She also became the first woman in history to break the 29:00 barrier for 10,000m with a stunning 28:54.14 in Eugene and surpassed the 14:00 mark for 5km earlier this week.
Ethiopia’s Melknat Wudu, boasting a 14:36.65 personal best in the 5000m and a recent fourth-place finish in Barcelona with a time of 14:53, is expected to lead the chase pack.
Burundi’s Francine Niyomukunzi is another strong contender. The 25-year-old has had a successful cross-country season in Spain, winning in Amorebieta, taking third in Atapuerca, and finishing second in Soria. She holds personal bests of 14:44.97 in the 5000m and 30:42 over 10km.
Spain’s Carolina Robles, who recently finished fourth in Madrid with a time of 31:58, is expected to be the top European athlete in the field, ahead of France’s Marie Bouchard, who placed 12th at the 2023 European Cross Country Championships.
The event will also showcase promising U23 talents, including Spain’s Claudia Corral, 15th in the U23 race at the European Cross Country Championships in December, alongside Britain’s Kate Willis and Megan Gadsby, who finished 18th and 23rd, respectively, in the same competition.
Elgoibar’s famed course is set to host an exciting race, with Chebet seeking to add another victory to her illustrious career.
