Olympic champion Selemon Barega shows himself at the Elgoibar Cross

Olympic and world champion in 10,000 meters, the Ethiopian Selemon Baregaforecasts were met and, in a cross of Elgoibar held until the last stretch of the Spanish Carlos Mayo and Adel Mechaalattacked on the last lap to show off on his own, with the Spanish-Moroccan in third position.

The men’s event, after the amazing women’s race that preceded it, looks very attractive in one of the best participations in the history of this cross that celebrates 79 editions, in which the name of Barega is stand out from all.

Barega knows the circuit, as he won in 2018 when he was a promising youngster aiming for what would eventually come, the world and Olympic championships, to be the best athlete currently at 10,000 meters.

The competition is also outstanding and if Barega does not reach the top it will be difficult for him to take his second victory in Elgoibar, something that will be proven in the first kilometers of the race which will be held without reserve participants.

The Spaniards wanted to be the star and lead the race in the first round: Carlos Mayo and the national record holder of 3,000 meters Adel Mechaal slowed down with a long but intense rhythm eager to attack the rivals.

More than ten kilometers of this cross could have taken a toll on Mechaal, but on the first pass to the finish line he continued to dominate the race with the impressive Mayo also setting the pace and putting his followers in line by line.

The group of about 15 runners remained firm and united but it was clear that the demanding ramps outside the stadium would ‘turn on’ the Africans and Asians, who were still crouched as they waited for their moment.

Twelve minutes of cross country was enough for Barega, who took the initiative by increasing his pace, tightening up a group still led by Carlos Mayo and scattering the other competitors with his attack.

Birhanu Balew, Barega, Abderrahmane Aferdi and Carlos Mayo lead the race and Mechaal, who made rubber, will join to complicate the victory that started to fall in favor of Selemon Barega.

The Spaniard gave way to a final change of pace by Moroccan Aferdi, who took Balew and Barega into a clear podium frame. The Olympic champion raised his step and escaped very easily on his own, with amazing ease to stand alone and without rivals at the finish line of Mintxeta.

Adel Mechaal overcame the bad moment that put him behind in the last part and, from less to more, he took the third place.

Surprise for the girls

And athlete Rahel Daniel, fifth in the world at 5,000 meters, caused a surprise at the 79th edition of the Elgoibar International Cross Country and became the first runner from her country to win the race after reaching the stadium’s finish line alone. .from Mintxeta.

The test started with the dominance of what was one of the great favourites, the Kenyan Edinah Jebitok, who set a very high pace to make early selection of the players for the prize.

He was joined by Margaret Kipkemboi, one of the favourites, and behind him he took Winfred Mutile Yavi and Daniel, who formed a quartet that distanced the first pass on the Mintxeta tartan, where the finish line welcomed Francine Niyonsaba, fifth at the Olympics. Games at 10,000 meters.