Mawia third in cross-country clash in Amorebieta, Spain

Kenya’s Lucy Mawia, winner of the 2022/2023 World Athletics Cross Country Tour, finished third in a race won by Ethiopia's Likina Amebaw at the Cross Internacional Zornotza on Sunday 22 October.

Amebaw clocked 29:36 in a sprint finish against compatriot Lemlem Nibret (29:38) as Mawia settled for third place in 30:03, 25 seconds adrift, to complete the podium places.

Right from the start of the 8700m women’s event, it was Mawia who took control, closely followed by the Ethiopian duo of Nibret and Amebaw. Alessia Zarbo of France ran alone in fourth, well ahead of the large chasing group.

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The leading trio covered the opening 2000m lap in 6:49 and the second circuit in 6:55, with Nibret briefly moving to the front by the third kilometer.

At halfway, the leaders had built a margin of 21 seconds on Zarbo, who in turn was well clear of the top Spaniards. Over the penultimate loop, Mawia and Nibret took turns at the helm, while the Spain-based Amebaw remained tucked behind that tandem.

Nibret then clocked the fastest split of the race to that point, a 3:19 sixth kilometer, and shortly after the bell she picked up the pace dramatically to leave Mawia well behind, while Amebaw managed to join her with relative ease.

Nibret pushed hard over the final loop but Amebaw did not relinquish and the Ethiopian pair engaged in a thrilling sprint finish, much to the delight of the crowd.

Taking advantage of a hilly section some 200m from home, Amebaw broke away from her younger compatriot, who finished fifth in the U20 race at the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, to win.

“I'm over the moon,” said Amebaw. “I have been training so hard for the last three months thinking of this cross-country season, where I expect to achieve great things. I'll next run in Atapuerca next Sunday,” added the 25-year-old, who has been based in Spain since 2019.

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Leading results

Women (8.7km)

1 Likina Amebaw (ETH) 29:36

2 Lemlem Nibret (ETH) 29:38

3 Lucy Mawia (KEN) 30:03

4 Alessia Zarbo (FRA) 31:07

5 Cristina Ruiz (ESP) 31:21

6 Irene Pelayo (ESP) 31:24

7 Rosalia Tarraga (ESP) 31:27

8 Paula Gonzalez (ESP) 31:35

9 Laura Domene (ESP) 31:36

10 Idaira Prieto (ESP) 31:45 

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By World Athletics