Matthew Kipsang, Sheila Jebet chasing victory in Soria as World Tour continues
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 15.11.25. | 14:34
Both the men's and women's races will be competed over 8km
Fresh from a fine win at the Cardiff Cross Challenge last Saturday, Kenya's Matthew Kipsang takes on a loaded field for the Cross Internacional de Soria, the fourth Gold level meeting of this season’s World Athletics Cross Country Tour, on Sunday, 16 November.
Kipsang will compete on his 30th birthday, hoping to improve on his third-place finish last year and, after personal best (PB) of 7:33.23 (3000m) and 12:58.61 (5000m) this year, he should be a frightening rival.
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Burundi’s Rodrigue Kwizera, a three-time victor in Soria, having triumphed in 2021, 2023 and 2024, is keen to maintain the momentum following his win at the Cross Internacional de Italica in Seville last weekend too.
He appears ready to make history by becoming a four-time winner in Soria to break the tie with Uganda’s Timothy Toroitich, who won three times in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
The duo is expected to engage in a thrilling race over the relatively short distance of 8km.
Spain’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo adds to the depth as he is still rounding into form and had to settle for fifth last weekend at the Italica meeting, but he will be fighting hard to grab his second win in Soria following his 2022 victory.
Other contenders include Burundi’s Emile Hafashimana, who won in Amorebieta and was ninth last weekend in Seville, plus Uganda’s Martin Kiprotich and Samuel Cherop, and Kenya’s Edwin Kiplangat Bett and Naibei Kiplimo Mayebei.
The women’s race will also be held over 8km and promises a showdown between Likina Amebaw and Kenya’s Sheila Jebet.
Amebaw will be making her third appearance of this cross-country season as she won in Amorebieta last month and finished third last weekend at the Italica.
She won in Soria in 2023 and aims for her third podium spot following her 2021 runner-up finish.
Jebet secured second place in Cardiff last weekend and seeks her first win on the European cross-country circuit. The 20-year-old finished fourth in the U20 race at the last World Cross Country Championships and then placed fifth in the 5000m at the World U20 Championships.
