Under the rain that doesn’t stop falling, in an environment surrounded by mountains where there are no meter levels, you can inhale the scent of ancient and moderate athletics coming from Cross of Elgoibar and this Sunday it will celebrate its 80th edition. The test is part of the highest category of World Athletics, but the organization has prepared the race with the same care as the first day to have a brilliant starting list.
Of all the names, the sa Soufiane El Bakkalia global superstar, Olympic 3,000 hurdles champion at Tokyo 2020, double world champion and the rightful inheritor of Moroccan glory of Hicham El Guerrouj. Bakkali will have to face the mud and cold of the Basque event, but will enjoy the nobility of its people, who know how to appreciate the dedication and effort of the thousands of athletes who run in the field of Mintxeta. It will not be easy for Bakkali to achieve the title of champion with rivals of the caliber of Berihu Aregawi, Ishmael Kipkirui, Adel Mechaal, Aaron Las Heras either Rodrigue Kwizera, some of the best specialists in the world. At stake is the glory of appearing in the record of a trial alongside well-known names such as Kenenisa Bekele, Paul Tergat, Selemon Barega, Joshua Cheptegei, Sileshi Sihine either Mammo WoldeBesides others.
This year they will be 900 participants divided into 12 categories, starting with youth – under 12 years old – and ending with adults. A celebration of pure athletics that cannot be celebrated without the spirit of work, sacrifice and unity of its neighbors and has created more than 80 editions of the identity of the most beloved cross country in the world.
In the women’s category, all attention will be focused Beatrice Chebetwhich came from breaking the world record of 5 kilometers on the road in Cursa dels Nassos de Barcelona with a time of 14’13. The Kenyan will arrive in Elgoibar on a high and it will be even more exciting to see what he can do on the mud, considering he is the current world champion in the specialty (individual and team). Chebet will have the highest level of competition with rivals such as Grace Nawowona, Edinah Jebitok either Asmarech Anleywith the goal of becoming a champion like them Derartu Tulu, Florence Kiplagat, Hiwot Ayalew, Hellen Obiri or the great Carmen Valerowhich won the 1978 edition and will receive huge tributes in its favorite land.
Elgoibar Cross can be followed live on Teledeporte and ETB1. The women’s race will start at 12:35 pm on a 7,621-meter circuit and the men’s race will start at 1:15 pm on the 9,707-meter route.
Top favorites
The
Men’s category
- Soufiane El Bakkali
- Berihu Aregawi
- Ishmael Kipkirui
- Adel Mechaal
- Aaron Las Heras
- Rodrigue Kwizera
- Fernando Carro
- Red Iago
- Abderrahmane Aferdi
- Mario Mola
- Nassim Hassous
- Miguel Baidal
Women’s category
- Beatrice Chebet
- Grace Nawowona
- Edinah Jebitok
- Asmarech Anley
- Irene Sánchez-Escribano
- Carolina Robles
- Emine Hatum
- Isabel Barreiro
- Sarah Astin
- Niamh Brown
- Lauren McNeil
- Lauren Hall
- Alessia Zarbo
Source: La Verdad
I’m Jason Root, a professional writer working with Today Times Live, the premier news website. I specialize in sports writing, covering the biggest stories in the world of athletics. With an eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, I provide engaging and informative articles that capture the key elements of any event or issue. My work has been featured on numerous respected websites and publications around the world.
