Beatrice Chebet and Berihu Aregawi to Headline Cross Internacional de Italica in Seville
The scenic Santiponce near Seville will play host to the world-class athletes gathering for the fifth leg of the World Cross Country Gold Tour at the Cross Internacional de Italica. Leading the charge are Kenya's Beatrice Chebet and Ethiopia's Berihu Aregawi, who both bring their stellar records and achievements to this prestigious event.
At just 24, Beatrice Chebet, a Kenyan sensation, has already secured her place in athletics history by being the first woman to break the 29-minute barrier for the 10,000 metres at the Prefontaine Classic, recording a time of 28:54.14. Following her dual triumph at the Olympic Games in Paris and a victorious run at the Diamond League Final in Brussels with a time of 14:09.82, Chebet is now set to tackle the course in Seville for the third time, having finished as runner-up in 2020 and third in 2022.
The women's race will also feature notable athletes including Mercy Chepkemoi and Daisy Jepkemei from Kazakhstan. Chepkemoi, fresh off a fourth-place finish in the 5000 metres at the World Under 20 Championships in Lima, will aim to replicate her recent success from the Cardiff leg of the World Cross Country Tour. Jepkemei, seventh at the World Championships in Belgrade, will look to add another victory to her resume after her recent win in Atapuerca.
The event will also spotlight France’s Alice Finot and Spain’s Carolina Robles, along with upcoming stars like Mariana Machado of Portugal and the European under 20 cross country champion, Maria Forero.
On the men's side, Berihu Aregawi enters as a formidable contender in the 7.5 km race. Aregawi, who secured a silver medal at the World Cross Championships and a silver in the 10,000m at the Olympic Games, recently set the third fastest time ever in the 3000m. He is joined by a robust field including Burundi’s Rodrigue Kwizera and Spain’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo, along with rising stars Ayele Tadesse and Wegene Addisu of Ethiopia.
Italian record-holder Yeman Crippa is poised to test his form ahead of the European Cross Country Championships, following an altitude training stint in Kenya's Rift Valley.
With a mix of established names and emerging talents, the Cross Internacional de Italica promises to be a thrilling showcase of endurance and speed, set against the backdrop of historic Seville.
