Beatrice Chebet clashes with Medina, Wudu in Barcelona
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 19.12.24. | 09:07
Thierry Ndikumwenayo leads the charge in the men's race
Double gold medalist at the Paris Olympic Games Beatrice Chebet headlines a star-studded 5km elite list at this year’s Cursa dels Nassos set for 31 December in Barcelona.
Chebet is out to defend her title and attempt to lower her world record of 14:13 minutes. Last year, the 24-year-old beat the previous women-only record of 14:29, set by Ethiopia's Senbere Teferi in 2021.
Her time was also faster than the women's world record in a mixed race set by Ethiopia's Ejgayehu Taye in 2021, and as she heads to Barcelona, she will look to end her highly successful season on a positive note.
She goes up against the Ethiopian duo of Medina Eisa, the reigning World U20 5000m champion, and Melknat Wudu, the Africa Games bronze medalist.
In last year’s race, Eisa set a fast early pace, leading the field through 3K in a fast 8:40. Chebet took control of the race at 3K and again demonstrated a strong finish over the final meters for the commanding win.
In the men’s race, another Olympian Thierry Ndikumwenayo leads the charge. The Spanish 5K record holder with a time of 13:17 will also be trying to beat his best time at the event.
With the event holding the men’s world record with 12:49, set by Berihu Aregawi in 2021, it will be a long shot for the elite men’s list to lower this time but organisers are expecting quick times as well.
In total, some 60 elite participants from around twenty different countries will participate in this 5-kilometer race, which this year will be mixed and, as in previous editions, will be a real spectacle for athletics fans.
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