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Kenya’s rising star, world U20 cross-country champion Ishmael Kipkurui, is set to display his talent at the Cross Internacional Juan Muguerza, the 10th World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meeting in Elgoibar, Spain, this Sunday.

The men’s 9.7km competition features an impressive field led by Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi, the world cross-country silver medallist.

Ishmael Kipkurui’s opposition

Aregawi, coming off a commanding win at the San Silvestre Vallecana last Sunday, will face tough competition from Spain’s world 5000m silver medallist Mo Katir.

The event marks Kipkurui’s first appearance in cross country on Spanish soil after three successful outings on the roads, including holding the world 5km record.

Rodrigue Kwizera, the reigning World Athletics Cross Country Tour winner from Burundi, poses a significant challenge for Aregawi. Kwizera, based in Spain, has already secured two third-place finishes and two victories in the current cross country season.

Celebrating his 28th birthday on the race day, Soufiane El Bakkali, the Moroccan steeplechase specialist and reigning Olympic champion, adds further excitement to the competition.

El Bakkali, despite not being a renowned cross country runner, aims for a podium spot after a stellar season, including his gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

Local talent includes Aaron Las Heras, who finished third at the San Silvestre Vallecana, and will seek to improve on his fifth-place performance from last year.

Others set to face with Ishmael Kipkurui

Las Heras faces competition from Adel Mechaal and Morocco’s Abderrahmane Afendi, who finished third and fourth, respectively, in the previous edition.

In addition to the elite events, there will be strong U20 races with representatives from Great Britain, Belgium, France and Portugal in the fight for the Mamo Wolde prize, an award created in 2003 in memory of Ethiopia’s legendary Olympic marathon champion.

He is fondly remembered in Elgoibar after winning four times in the 1960s.