Top Athletes Gear Up for Thrilling Showdown at Cross Internacional de Soria
The Cross Internacional de Soria, a prestigious event in the World Athletics Cross Country Tour, is set for this Sunday at the scenic Monte Valonsadero forest near Soria. Defending champion Lucy Mawia and 2021 winner Rodrigue Kwizera are set to return, promising an exciting competition.
The men's 10km race will feature a thrilling face-off between Burundi's Rodrigue Kwizera and Kenya's Hillay Chepkwony. Kwizera has had a strong start to the season, placing third in both Atapuerca and Seville, where he was narrowly beaten by Chepkwony. Chepkwony, who recently paced Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin and set a personal best in Valencia, is looking for his first cross-country win.
Other contenders include Uganda's Martin Kiprotich, Burundi's Celestin Ndikumana, and the Eritrean pair of Aron Kifle and Filmon Kibrom. Spain's hopes are pinned on Abdessadam Oukhelfen, Sergio Paniagua, and Nassim Hassaous.
In the women's 8km race, Lucy Mawia aims for her third consecutive victory in Soria, competing against Ethiopia's Likina Amebaw, who has shown impressive form this season. The field also includes Ethiopia's Asayech Ayichew, Burundi's Micheline Niyomahoro, France's Alessia Zarbo, and Hungary's Lili Anna Vindics-Toth, alongside Spain's Marta García, Águeda Marqués, and Irene Sánchez-Escribano.
Notable past winners in Soria include Olympic and World Champions, showcasing the event's rich history. The weather is expected to be sunny and mild, providing ideal conditions for the athletes and spectators alike.
