Berihu Aregawi, the Ethiopian 10,000m Olympic silver medallist, is poised to make his highly anticipated debut in this season’s cross-country circuit at the Seville Cross Country race on November 17. Known for his exceptional speed, Aregawi’s entrance into the race marks his first cross-country appearance of the year after a stellar track season.
The 23-year-old has already established himself as one of the most promising middle- and long-distance runners on the global stage. Aregawi kicked off the year with a memorable performance, securing a silver medal at the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade. He continued to impress, setting a personal best of 26:31.13 in the 10,000m at the competition in Nerja and then breaking an Ethiopian record with a time of 7:21.28 for the 3000m. His success didn’t stop there, as he also triumphed in the 5000m at the prestigious Diamond League Final in Brussels, further solidifying his reputation.
Despite his strong track background, Aregawi faces a tough field in Seville, with several other top athletes looking to make their mark. Among the Ethiopian contingent, Ayele Tadesse and Wegene Addisu stand out as key challengers. Both have already made an impact in the cross-country season, with Tadesse finishing second and Addisu fourth in Soria the previous weekend. These performances highlight their readiness to compete against Aregawi, making them serious contenders.
One of the most formidable opponents Aregawi will face is Rodrigue Kwizera from Burundi. The 24-year-old has had an unbeaten cross-country season, with victories in Amorebieta, Atapuerca, and Soria. Kwizera has also been a consistent performer in Seville, with top-three finishes in each of the past three years. His current form suggests he will be a tough rival for Aregawi, especially with his recent successes in Spain.
Spain’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo is another athlete to watch. The 2022 Seville Cross Country winner and European 10,000m bronze medallist is in peak condition, having recently improved his personal best to 26:49.49 at the Paris Olympics. Ndikumwenayo has been training at high altitude in Sierra Nevada, preparing for the upcoming European Cross Country Championships, and his experience and form make him a dangerous competitor.
Uruguayan Santiago Catrofe is also a rising star in the cross-country circuit. With personal bests of 7:37.15 for 3000m and 13:05.95 for 5000m, Catrofe is well-equipped to challenge the elite. His surprise victory in San Sebastian two weeks ago, where he outpaced Uganda’s Martin Kiprotich, demonstrated his ability to compete with some of the best in the sport. Kiprotich, joined by fellow Ugandans Kenneth Kiprop, Dan Kibet, and Hosea Kiplangat, will also be aiming to make an impression. Kiprop, who recently won the Cardiff Cross, and Kibet, who finished third, will provide strong competition.
Spain’s representation will be led by European indoor 3000m silver medallist Adel Mechaal, along with Aarón Las Heras, Abdessadam Oukhelfen, and Nassim Hassaous. These athletes have all shown competitive form in international events and will be determined to perform well on home soil.
The Seville Cross Country race has seen many renowned winners over the years, including Fernando Mamede, Paul Tergat, Kenenisa Bekele, Joshua Cheptegei, and Jacob Kiplimo. With such a competitive field, Aregawi will face a stiff challenge as he looks to add his name to this prestigious list of past champions.
The race promises to be an exciting contest, with Aregawi aiming to prove his versatility and dominance across different formats of distance running. With top-tier talent across multiple nations, Seville will provide the perfect stage for an epic showdown.
