He Atapuerca International Cross it celebrates its 20th edition this Sunday, consolidated as one of the most prestigious events on the world cross-country circuit, which will bring together some of the best international distance runners, among which the Burundian stands out Rodrigue Kwizerathat came as the great favorite.
Framed in the Gold category of the World Athletics Circuit, this annual event has a marked international accent and the promise of a high-level show in the historic and challenging terrain of the sites of the Sierra de Atapuerca, in the province of Burgos.
Attention in the men’s category this Sunday will be on Burundian Rodrigue Kwizera, 25 years old, who came in as the heavy favorite after a resounding victory in Amorebieta on Sunday, where he defeated such caliber competitors as Ugandan Oscar Chelimo.
Kwizera, who already knows what it is to hold the positions of honor in Atapuerca – second in 2021 and third in 2022 and 2023 – will seek to finally reach the top step of the podium in this twentieth edition.
The men’s event will be held over a distance of 9,000 meters and will start at 1:25 pm
Chelimo, second in the recent test in the Basque lands, will seek revenge against Kwizera, but both have to pay attention to the dangerous Ethiopian duo formed by Ayele Tadesse, who is in great form after registering an impressive 27: 40 in the 10K last month, and Hailemariyam Amare, who finished just behind Kwizera in the 2023 Bathurst World Cup.
Other names to watch include the Ugandan Martin Kiprotich and the Irish Efrem Gidey.
Among the Spaniards, the battle also promises to be intense. Three national record holders will attend: Fernando Carro (3,000 m hurdles), who showed good form in Amorebieta; Carlos Mayo, who returned to cross country in full marathon preparation; and Abdessadam Oukhelfen, 10K specialist.
Added to these names is Adel Mechaal, current European runner-up in the 3,000 meters indoors, along with other well-known distance runners who will try to surprise.
The women’s race, which starts at 12:45 on the 8,000 meter route, features Burundian Francine Niyomukunzi and Kenyan Grace Nawowuna.
Niyomukunzi, recent Amorebieta winner, clocked an excellent 30:42 in the 10K, a mark achieved in Valencia earlier this year. For his part, Nawowuna, just 20 years old, is another strong candidate after his outstanding performance at the 2023 Bathurst World Cup, where he finished fourth.
A possible third contender could be Deisy Jepkemei, who currently competes under the Kazakhstan flag and has an outstanding mark in the 3,000-meter hurdles (9:06.66); and Moroccan Ikram Ouaaziz completes the group of African favourites.
In Europe, Portuguese Mariana Machado, under-20 winner in Atapuerca in 2018, and German Elena Burkard will try to stand up to African dominance.
On the Spanish side, Carolina Roblesnational champion, leading a large group of athletes who belong Cristina Ruiz, Ángela Viciosa and Águeda MarquésOlympic finalist in the 1500 meters, among others.
The Atapuerca Cross Country is not only an elite event, but it brings together more than 3,500 athletes from different categories, from youth to full, representing 15 different nationalities.
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.
