by Alfonz Juck
Thanks to EME News, here is the final news on Aarhus, where the IAAF Xc Champs are to be held on March 30, 2019. Make sure that you follow the meet live via streaming on FB, twitter and other social media platforms.
AARHUS NEWS
AARHUS (DEN): Short previews by event, two years ago the medal duel between two powerhouses was Kenya 4-5-3 and Ethiopia 4-4-1.
Senior men: Reigning two-time champion Geoffrey Kamworor is back to defend his title. He will face opposition from his teammates including world U20 10,000m champion Rhonex Kipruto and Amos Kirui as well as Ugandans Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo, who won the U20 title in Kampala two years ago and would have been eligible to defend it this weekend. The Ethiopian team is headed by Selemon Barega and trials winner Mogos Tuemay. Other notable entrants include Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew and Albert Rop and Turkey’s Polat Kemboi Arikan.
Senior women: The Kenyans, who filled the top six places in Kampala two years ago, return with another strong team including world 5000m champion Hellen Obiri and world 3000m steeplechase record-holder Beatrice Chepkoech while the standout name on the Ethiopian team is two-time U20 champion Letesenbet Gidey. Bahrain has also named a strong team featuring world marathon champion Rose Chelimo and Winfred Yavi while the Ugandans and the USA will also be in contention for both individual and team medals.
Junior men: Norway’s sensation Jakob Ingebrigtsen will endeavour to become Europe’s first medal winner in this race since 1984. However, Africa has enjoyed 100% domination of the podium ever since 2001, and Samuel Chebolei, the Kenyan senior 5000 m champion and winner of their junior trial, will be strong. World youth steeplechase champion Leonard Bett also goes for Kenya. Ethiopia defend their team title, led by Tsegay Kidanu, top junior at their trials, and 13:13 5000 runner Getnesh Yetwale. Ugandan trials winner Hosea Kiplangat will be supported by Oscar Chelimo.
Junior women: Kenya’s world junior 5000 m champion Beatrice Chebet starts favourite after easily winning her trial race. Kenyan runner-up Betty Kibet will hope to be closer this time. Ethiopia has African junior short-course champion Girmawit Gebregziabher and world junior 3000m bronze medallist Tsige Gebreselama. Uganda’s world youth 3000m silver medallist Sarah Chelangat will be looking to break the 20-year-long Kenya-Ethiopia stranglehold on the podium. Europe are led by their one-two from the continental championships, Nadia Battocletti of Italy and Delia Sclabas of Switzerland. Japan’s Ririka Hironaka is another non-African looking to break into the top 20.
Mixed relay: The Kenyans will be looking to retain their title with world champions Conseslus Kipruto and Elijah Manangoi the standout names on their quartet. The Moroccans have also named a strong team featuring Abdelaati Iguider, Soufiane El Bakkali and Rababe Arafi.
AARHUS (DEN): Saturday´s programme at IAAF World Cross Country Championships starts at 11 with Mixed relay (8.24 km) followed by U20 races. First girls (11.35, 5.856 km) and then boys (12.10, 7.728 km). At 13.00 Women race and at 14.00 Men race both at same 10.24 km distance.
