Jebitok out to claim bragging rights in season's last Cross Country Tour in Albufeira

Kenya’s Edinah Jebitok will look to end her impressive season on the road when she lines up at the in the last Gold Meeting of the World Athletics Cross Country Tour - Cross Internacional das Amendoeiras em Flor in Albufeira (Southern Portugal) - on Sunday 25 February.

The Kenyan, who last month raced to a 31:01 finish in Hannut, Belgium, will battle for top spot of the women’s standings against Ethiopian rival Likina Amebaw.

Edinah Jebitok and Nimubona victorious in Hannut

Jebitok and Amebaw are currently tied at the top of the women’s Cross Country Tour standings, and both have already amassed the highest score possible.

Regardless of who finishes where on Sunday, it won’t prevent either one from being declared joint winners of the tour.

But both will be keen to earn bragging rights with a victory in Albufeira.

In her season so far, Jebitok has apart from in Hannut, won in Seville in November, then Venta de Banos in December, and reigned supreme in her only duel against Amebaw this season in Atapuerca.

Amebaw, meanwhile, boasts of wins in Amorebieta, Soria and Alcobendas, as well as taking victory at the recent Monaco Run 5km in 14:35.

Last year’s European Champion Clubs Cup winner Anjelina Nadai Lohalith, who competes internationally for the Athlete Refugee Team, will on the other hand seek to defend her title.

After her victory last year, the 29-year-old went on to set a 5000m PB of 15:33.85 in the summer.

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In the men’s category, two time winner of the European Champion Clubs Cup for men, Burundian Rodrigue Kwizera, will face club-mate Thierry Ndikumwenayo, who finished a close second to Kwizera at the Spanish Cross Country Championships at the end of January, in a bid of extending his lead atop the standings.

Kenya’s Edward Zakayo, 2018 world U20 5000m champion, will likely be in contention alongside Vincent Rono and Uganda’s 2022 world 5000m bronze medalist Oscar Chelimo.

Additional reporting by World Athletics.