Posted: January 21, 2005

Athletics: Ethiopians Headline Weekend Cross Country Action In Spain

From David Monti

(c) 2004 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

By Bob Ramsak

A slew of Ethiopians, led by defending double world cross country championships silver medallist Gebregziabher Gebremariam, headline the major cross country competitions this weekend in Spain.

Gebremariam, second in Brussels last year to compatriot Kenenisa Bekele in both the short and long course races, tops the field at Sunday's 17th Cross Country Internation in Valladolid. Third at last weekend's View from Greater Edinburgh race, the 20-year-old faces top Spaniards Isaac Viciosa, José Ríos, and Antonio Peña. In the women's race, defending world short course silver medallist Werknesh Kidane faces Portugal's Carla Sacramento, Monica Rosa, Analia Rosa and Helena Sampaio, Kenyan Sally Barsosio and Britain's Kathy Butler.

Ethiopians Maregu Zewdie and Abebe Dinkessa, 1-2 finishers at last weekend's Cross Internacional de Itálica in Seville, top the field at Sunday's 62nd Juan Muguerza International in Elgoibar. Tariku Bekele, the world champion's younger brother, Tanzanian Fabiano Joseph and Mushir Salim Jawher of Bahrain are also slated to start, along with Spaniard Juan Carlos de la Ossa, the silver medallist at the European championships. Kenyan Alice Timbilili and Hungary's Aniko Kalovics lead the women's field.

Also this weekend, Huesca plays host to the 28th Jose Luis Alos Memorial, while Castellon hosts the 26th running of its international race.