Edinah Jebitok set for grand return to Venta de Baños on Sunday

ATHLETICS Edinah Jebitok set for grand return to Venta de Baños on Sunday

Abigael Wafula 21:31 - 16.12.2023

22-year-old Edinah Jebitok will be vying to replicate her 2021 performance when she returns to the cross-country in Spain.

Widely regarded as the woman of all surfaces, Edinah Jebitok is not resting on her laurels as she seeks to extend her cross-country hot streak to the Cross Internacional de Venta de Baños, the ninth Gold leg of this season's World Athletics Cross Country Tour, on Sunday.

The Kenyan was the winner back in 2021 and she headlines the field in the women’s 9.3km challenge.

Jebitok has enjoyed quite a stellar season this year and even finished eighth in the senior women’s race at the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia. She also set track Personal Bests of 4:02.00 for 1500m and 14:52.28 for 5000m.

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The 22-year-old won cross-country races in San Sebastián and Seville last month. Two weeks ago, she notched up another victory, this time in Eldoret, where she beat a strong domestic field.

On Sunday, Jebitok will not have smooth sailing since the field has also attracted some of the greatest athletes.

Asayech Ayichew will be in the mix and she will be making her third outing on Spanish ground having finished second in Soria and Alcobendas last month.

Also, in the field will be USA's Katie Izzo who has also been in great form. The 26-year-old finished second at the ‘Cross Champs’ in Austin last month and holds a 15:13.09 5000m indoor lifetime best.

Jebitok will enjoy the company of compatriot Maurine Jemutai, who boasts a 1:08:55 half marathon lifetime. In recent weeks she has finished second in Cantimpalos and first in Amurrio two days later.

Meanwhile, the men’s 9.3km race will be a tough battle between some of the top Spaniards who took part at the recent European Cross Country Championships, including Abdessamad Oukhelfen, Fernando Carro, Aarón Las Heras, and Nassim Hassaous.

Morocco's Abderraahmane Aferdi, a 1:01:28 half marathon performer, will be trying to deny a Spanish podium sweep. He is fresh from an easy win in Alcalá de Henares earlier this month.

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