Chebet bags first Elgoibar victory in all-Kenyan podium

World cross-country champion Beatrice Chebet and world cross-country silver medalist Berihu Aregawi lived up to their status as pre-race favourites by capturing commanding wins at the Cross Internacional Juan Muguerza – a World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meeting – in the Spanish town of Elgoibar on Sunday 7.

The rain created a muddy surface and led to grueling conditions, but Chebet managed to pull away in the closing stages, while Aregawi achieved his first cross-country victory on Spanish soil.

Ebenyo dominates for first win of the year

Newly-minted world 5km record-holder Chebet took command of the women's 7.62km race from the start and covered the opening lap on the track in 1:18 with just compatriots Edinah Jebitok and Grace Nawowuna plus Ethiopia's Asmarech Anley for company.

British trio Lauren Hall, Sarah Astin and Niamh Brown were three seconds behind while Spain’s Irene Sánchez-Escribano, Carolina Robles and Isabel Barreiro ran another couple of seconds adrift.

Chebet's relentless pace – 3:19 and 3:21 for the first two kilometers on a far-from-ideal circuit – soon paid off and Anley could not live with that pace, leaving the Kenyan contingent as a lead trio out in front. Chebet gradually increased her speed and clocked 7:02 for the penultimate lap, but 2021 Elgoibar winner Jebitok and Nawowuna still remained at her shoulder.

Just before the bell, Nawowuna – who finished fourth at last year’s World Cross – briefly took the lead, but Chebet soon regained pole position. A struggling Anley, meanwhile, was overtaken on the last lap by the leading British and Spanish runners.

The key move came with one kilometer remaining when Chebet broke away from her compatriots to cover the final lap in 6:54, securing her first victory in Elgoibar in what was her third appearance. Jebitok dropped Nawowuna in the final kilometer to finish second, two seconds behind Chebet. Much further back, Britain’s Brown claimed fourth place.

“It was tough as the rain appeared just before the race but I'm satisfied with my Spanish tour as I managed a world record and my first win at such a prestigious race like this,” said Chebet, whose next race will be in Eldoret on 3 February before she turns her attention to defending her world cross-country title in Belgrade.

 Leading results

Women (7.6km)

1 Beatrice Chebet (KEN) 26:08

2 Edinah Jebitok (KEN) 26:10

3 Grace Nawowuna (KEN) 26:25

4 Niamh Brown (GBR) 27:55

5 Sarah Astin (GBR) 28:06

6 Lauren Hall (GBR) 28:12

7 Carolina Robles (ESP) 28:26

8 Isabel Barreiro (ESP) 28:32

9 Irene Sánchez-Escribano (ESP) 28:32

10 Asmarech Anley (ETH) 28:44

Men (9.7km)

1 Berihu Aregawi (ETH) 30:30

2 Rodrigue Kwizera (BDI) 30:34

3 Soufiane El Bakkali (MAR) 30:36

4 Ishmael Kipkurui (KEN) 30:37

5 Adel Mechaal (ESP) 30:43

6 Nassim Hassaous (ESP) 31:22

7 Daniel Arce (ESP) 31:33

8 Abderrahmane Aferdi (MAR) 31:38

9 David Bascunana (ESP) 32:20

10 Mario Mola (ESP) 32:22

By World Athletics