The Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso &ndash; a World Athletics Elite Platinum Label event &ndash; features arguably the year's finest field. Valencia has witnessed a number of world records in recent years, and organisers aim for the Spanish coastal city to be the epicentre of the running world again on Sunday (3).
Olympic 5000m champion Joshua Cheptegei will attract much of the attention on Sunday as the Ugandan will be making his first appearance over the classic distance. The 27-year-old, who is the world record-holder for the 5000m and 10,000m, has fond memories of Valencia as it is where he set a world 10km record of 26:38 in 2019 and the still standing world 10,000m record of 26:11.00 the following year.
&ldquo;The marathon is a new challenge for me,&rdquo; said three-time world 10,000m champion Cheptegei, who has a half marathon PB of 59:21. &ldquo;After 10 years competing at an international level, I'm thrilled to tackle the longest Olympic distance. The marathon is something new for me and I'm fully aware there is a lot to learn.&rdquo;
In one of his final sessions before heading to Valencia, Cheptegei reportedly ran a 28km long run timed at 1:25 &ndash; an average pace of 3:02/km.
If recent form and experience is anything to go by, Kenyan duo Kibiwott Kandie and Alexander Mutiso will start among the favourites.
Kandie displayed impressive form six weeks ago when achieving his third victory at the Valencia Half Marathon, beating a highly competitive field in 57:40, just nine seconds short of his own world record, set three years prior in Valencia.
He has had two prior outings at the marathon distance, but is yet to make his mark; he hopes that Sunday&rsquo;s race will be third time lucky.
Japan-based Mutiso made a remarkable marathon debut in Valencia last year, placing third in 2:03:29. Valencia is where he also set his half marathon PB of 57:59 in 2020. The 27-year-old won the Prague Marathon earlier this year in 2:05:09.
Titus Kipruto, who has a PB of 2:04:54 and finished eighth at the World Championships in Budapest, will join his Kenyan compatriots on the start line.
A strong Ethiopian contingent is led by the legendary Kenenisa Bekele. The 41-year-old still ranks third on the world all-time list with his 2:01:41 clocking from the 2019 Berlin Marathon. The multiple world and Olympic champion failed to finish the London Marathon earlier this year, so will try to bounce back on Sunday in what will be his first ever clash against Cheptegei, the man who broke Bekele&rsquo;s world records on the track.
The former 5000m and 10,000m world record-holder will be joined by his compatriots Leul Gebreselassie, Sisay Lemma, Dawit Wolde and Chalu Deso; the former, winner here in 2018, is the current world bronze medallist and took fourth in London (2:05:45) while Lemma finished runner-up in Prague (2:06:26) but clocked 2:03:36 back in 2019. Wolde is a 2:04:27 athlete with a season's best of 2:05:46 in Rotterdam, while Deso has also broken the 2:05 barrier.
Watch out too for Tanzania&rsquo;s Gabriel Geay and Brazil&rsquo;s Daniel Do Nascimento. Geay was runner-up in Valencia last year with a PB of 2:03:00, then placed second in Boston earlier this year in 2:06:04. The 27-year-old also finished seventh at the 2022 World Championships, just ahead of Do Nascimento, a 2:04:51 performer.
French duo Morhad Amdouni (2:05:22) and Nico Navarro (2:06:45), Germany's European champion Richard Ringer (2:08:08) plus Spain's Tariku Novales (2:07:18) will be aiming to improve on their respective PBs.
A trio of pacemakers comprising Charles Matata, Hillary Kipkoech and Bernard Ngeno will dictate a steady 2:54 pace to go through the half-way point in 1:01 in a bid to challenge the course record of 2:01:53 set last year by world record-holder Kelvin Kiptum.
<h2>Ayana the woman to beat</h2>
Ethiopia's 2016 Olympic 10,000m champion Almaz Ayana made her marathon debut in Amsterdam last year with 2:17:20, what was then the fastest debut in history.
This year, the 32-year-old placed seventh in London in 2:20:44, but had won the Lisbon Half Marathon one month earlier in a PB of 1:05:30. On Sunday she&rsquo;ll line up alongside compatriots Genzebe Dibaba, Worknesh Degefa, Hiwot Gebrekidan and Bosena Mulatie.
Dibaba, the former 1500m star, also made a promising marathon debut in Amsterdam last year, clocking 2:18:05, but she failed to finish in London this year before placing sixth (2:21:47) in Chicago at the start of October.
Degefa, a 2:17:41 performer, didn't compete in 2021 and 2022 as she became a mother twice but she made a strong return in October with a 1:07:48 win at the Trento Half Marathon. Gebrekidan set her PB of 2:19:10 at the Tokyo Marathon last year, and placed eighth in Boston earlier this year, while 22-year-old Mulatie will be tackling the distance for the first time, having set a half marathon PB of 1:05:46.
Celestine Chepchirchir, who ran 2:20:10 in Seoul last year, and Seville Marathon winner Jackline Chelal, who has a PB of 2:20:29, are the leading Kenyan entrants for this year&rsquo;s race.
Poland's European champion Aleksandra Lisowska, Spain's Majida Maayouf (2:21:01) Croatia's Bojana Bjeljac (2:23:39), Italy's Sofiia Yaremchuk (2:24:02) and Ireland's Fiounnala Mc Cormack are among the other leading international entrants.
Ethiopia's Abebe Garedew, Kenya's Titus Kemboi and Spain's Alejandro Jim&eacute;nez have been enlisted as pacemakers and will try to reach the halfway point in 1:07:30, putting the leading women on schedule to threaten Amane Beriso's course record of 2:14:58, set last year.
A total of 33,000 runners are set to take part in the event, 57% of them travelling from abroad and represent a record 134 countries. The weather forecast predicts a windless day, with the thermometer reaching 10-12C by the time of the event.
Emeterio Valiente for World Athletics
<h3>Leading entries</h3>
Women Almaz Ayana (ETH) 2:17:20 Worknesh Degefa (ETH) 2:17:41 Joan Chelimo Melly (ROM) 2:18:04 Genzebe Dibaba (ETH) 2:18:05 Hiwot Gebrekidan (ETH) 2:19:10 Celestine Chepchirchir (KEN) 2:20:10 Jackline Chelal (KEN) 2:20:29 Dolshi Tesfu (ERI) 2:20:40 Desi Mokonin (BRN) 2:20:47 Majida Maayouf (ESP) 2:21:01 Lisa Weightman (AUS) 2:23:15 Bojana Bjeljac (CRO) 2:23:39 Melat Kejeta (GER) 2:23:57 Fionnuala McCormack (IRL) 2:23:58 Sofiia Yaremchuk (ITA) 2:24:02 Sultan Haydar (TUR) 2:24:44 Eloise Wellings (AUS) 2:25:10 Gerda Steyn (RSA) 2:25:28 Aleksandra Lisowska (POL) 2:26:08 Irvette van Zyl (RSA) 2:26:11 Marta Galimany (ESP) 2:26:14 Fabienne Schlumpf (SUI) 2:26:14 Carolina Wikstrom (SWE) 2:26:14 Mekdes Woldu (FRA) 2:26:34 Fatima Azaharaa Ouhaddou (ESP) 2:26:44 Risper Gesabwa (MEX) 2:26:55 Bosena Mulatie (ETH) debut
Men Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) 2:01:41 Gabriel Geay (TAN) 2:03:00 Alexander Mutiso (KEN) 2:03:29 Getaneh Molla (ETH) 2:03:34 Sisay Lemma (ETH) 2:03:36 Leul Gebreselassie (ETH) 2:04:02 Dawit Wolde (ETH) 2:04:27 Daniel do Nascimento (BRA) 2:04:51 Chalu Deso (ETH) 2:04:53 Titus Kipruto (KEN) 2:04:54 Mohamed Esa Huseydin (KEN) 2:05:05 Morhad Amdouni (FRA) 2:05:22 Goitom Kifle (ERI) 2:05:28 Gashau Ayale (ISR) 2:05:33 Abdisa Tola (ETH) 2:05:42 Oqbe Kibrom (ERI) 2:05:51 Nico Navarro (FRA) 2:06:45 Isaac Mpofu (ZIM) 2:06:48 Tariku Novales (ESP) 2:07:18 Girmaw Amare (ISR) 2:07:28 Haimro Alame (ISR) 2:07:45 Godadaw Belachew (ISR) 2:07:54 Richard Ringer (GER) 2:08:08 Daniel Mateo (ESP) 2:08:22 Derseh Kindie (ETH) 2:08:23 Khalid Choukoud (NED) 2:08:36 Mehdi Frere (FRA) 2:08:55 Yago Rojo (ESP) 2:08:56 Kibiwott Kandie (KEN) 2:13:43 Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) debut Stephen Kiprop (KEN) debut Stanley Kurgat (KEN) debut

Kenenisa Bekele and Joshua Cheptegei will clash for the first time

Debutant Cheptegei takes on Bekele and Kandie, Ayana faces Dibaba in Valencia

Finding the perfect gift for friends and family can be tricky.
It helps, of course, if they have a hobby or pastime, but even that can bring its own challenges &ndash; especially if it seems your loved ones already have all they need.
Worry not &ndash; If you still don't know what to buy, here&rsquo;s a selection of ideas across a range of categories that suit all budgets.
And whether you celebrate Christmas or not, this list can offer some inspiration for any gifts you may need to purchase in the near future. Or you could even order some of these items for yourself &ndash; we all deserve a little treat from time to time!
&nbsp;
<h2>Books and publications </h2>
<h3>Good For A Girl</h3>
<img style="width: 160px; height: 245px; margin-left: 20px; align: right;" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91AQZUHT5XL._SL1500_.jpg" alt="book" align="right" />Lauren Fleshman
Lauren Fleshman was of the most decorated collegiate athletes of all time and a national champion as a pro, before becoming a coach for elite young female runners. Every step of the way, she has seen how our sports systems fail young women and girls as much as empower them.
Part memoir, part manifesto, Good for a Girl is Fleshman's story of falling in love with running as a girl, battling devastating injuries and self-doubt, and daring to fight for a better way for female athletes.
This book was also winner of the 2023 William Hill Sports Book of the Year award.
<a href="https://www.virago.co.uk/titles/lauren-fleshman/good-for-a-girl/9780349014425/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Available via Virago</a> 
<h3> We Share The Sun</h3>
<img style="width: 160px; height: 235px; margin-left: 20px; align: right;" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71pUu2s767L._SL1500_.jpg" alt="book" align="right" />Sarah Gearhart
At a secluded training camp in Kaptagat, Kenya, a small town about 2500m above sea level in the Great Rift Valley, three-dozen world-class runners, including Olympic champions, world record-holders and the fastest marathoner of all time, share simple dormitory-style rooms and endure grueling workouts six days a week.
These determined, devoted, and selfless runners are who they are because of a man named Patrick Sang. One of the greatest - and least-heralded coaches in the sport - Sang is described by his athletes as a &ldquo;life coach.&rdquo;
In We Share the Sun, Sarah Gearhart takes the reader inside this high-octane world of elite athletes of which few are even aware of and even fewer have ever seen. It tells Sang&rsquo;s remarkable story, from his college days in the US to winning an Olympic medal in the steeplechase, and his journey to become a man who redefines what coaching means. There is no singular secret to sporting success, but Sang&rsquo;s holistic philosophy is like no other approach in the world. It is rooted in developing athletes who can navigate the pressures of elite competition - and life itself.
<a href="http://pegasusbooks.com/books/we-share-the-sun-9781639363551-hardcover" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Available from Pegasus Books</a> 
<h3> Jesse Owens</h3>
<img style="width: 160px; height: 196px; margin-left: 20px; align: right;" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61DQbzxrNQL._SL1395_.jpg" alt="book" align="right" />Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Meet Jesse Owens, the historic and barrier-breaking track and field star.
The youngest of ten children, Jesse grew up working in the cotton fields of Alabama. Discovered by his high school track and field coach, Jesse quickly rose to fame as an athlete. He went on the challenge racism on the world stage at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and made new world records. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the athlete and activist's life.
This empowering series of books offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers.
<a href="https://littlepeoplebigdreams.com/book/jesse-owens/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Available from Little People Big Dreams</a>
<h3> How She Did It</h3>
<img style="width: 160px; height: 198px; margin-left: 20px; align: right;" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81IFb5jmDPL._SL1500_.jpg" alt="book" align="right" />Molly Huddle and Sara Slattery
How She Did It begins with the kind of prescriptive information that any athlete needs to be healthy and successful in the world of competitive running, with advice and findings from the nation's top bone health experts, sports endocrinologists, nutritionists, sports psychologists, and more.
The book then moves into the payload: unflinching and intimate interviews with 50 well-known female runners who reveal their deepest fears, their worst choices, and their greatest achievements.
<a href="https://www.randomhousebooks.com/books/673032/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Available via Random House</a> 
<h3> Puddings To Podiums: From Fast Food Fat Man To Ultra Marathon Champion</h3>
<img style="width: 160px; height: 240px; margin-left: 20px; align: right;" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61YRcE+31oL._SL1499_.jpg" alt="book" align="right" />Nathan Flear
In 'Puddings to Podiums', follow the captivating story of an ordinary man's extraordinary quest to rise from a life of indulgence to the pinnacle of ultra running and his dream of running for his country.
Nathan embarks on an awe-inspiring adventure that takes him from his sedentary lifestyle to the world of ultra running. From tackling his first 10km run to conquering gruelling 24-hour races, Nathan's journey is as much about conquering his own doubts and limitations as it is about crossing finish lines.
<a href="https://amzn.eu/d/fBhYWBG" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Available from Amazon</a> 
&nbsp;
<hr />
<h2>Gear and kit </h2>
<h3>Metaspeed collection, Asics</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6569a220ad5f2b1311192e3c.jpg" alt="Asics Metaspeed" /></div>
Each shoe in the Asics Metaspeed range is designed with a distinct type of running style in mind, helping athletes reach the top of their game and potentially reducing the number of steps a runner needs to take during a race.
<a href="https://www.asics.com/us/en-us/metaspeed/c/aa50124800/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Available at Asics.com</a>
&nbsp;
<h3>Street Fighter collection, Onitsuka Tiger</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6569a235ad5f2b1311192e3f.jpg" alt="Onitsuka Tiger Street Fighter collection" /></div>
You probably wouldn't run a marathon wearing any of this gear, but if you like your casual lounge wear to have a novel and gaming twist, then this range is perfect.
<a href="https://www.onitsukatiger.com/gb/en-gb/new-arrivals/onitsuka-tiger-x-street-fighter-6/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Available at OnitsukaTiger.com</a>
&nbsp;
<hr />
<h2>Games </h2>
<h3><img style="width: 200px; height: 248px; margin-left: 20px; align: right;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6569a4fa164b0f6686e0f1fb.jpg" alt="Tokyo 2020" align="right" />Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games</h3>
There is an official Paris 2024 video game in the pipeline, but it won't be released until next year. So in the meantime, relive the joy and excitement of the most recent Olympics with the Tokyo 2020 video game. Engage in a wide variety of arcade-style sports as you compete to win the gold.
Available on the Playstation, X-Box, Nintendo Switch and Steam.
<a href="https://www.olympicvideogames.com/tokyo2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Available from various sellers</a>
&nbsp;
<hr />
<h2>Art </h2>
<h3>Like The Wind illustrations</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6569a45bad5f2b1311192e46.jpg" alt="Like The Wind illustrations" /></div>
Like the Wind is a magazine that features a collection of running stories, from personal anecdotes to inspirational tales. A selection of illustrations used in LtW's storytelling is available to purchase from their online shop, along with back issues of the magazine itself, plus a whole range of other goodies.
<a href="https://www.likethewindmagazine.com/shop/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Available from Like The Wind</a>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>Retro video game artwork</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6569ab7a752c1c6f2def1173.jpg" alt="Retro illustrations" /></div>
Officially licensed by Konami, these pieces of artwork from Artovision 3D capture the essence of the classic Track &amp; Field arcade game.
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/Artovision3D?search_query=track+field" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Available from Artovision 3D, via Etsy</a> 
<h3>Athletics track poster</h3>
<img src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/5fcfaf8dc157b99a1fc12507.png" alt="" width="950" height="496" />
Understated and stylish. Is there anything more beautiful than an athletics track?!
<a href="https://swedishstamp.club/collections/sports/products/sport-running-poster" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Available from Swedish Stamp Club</a>
&nbsp;
<hr />
<h2>Stocking fillers</h2>
<h3> Art Of Your Success</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6569a253ad5f2b1311192e42.jpg" alt="Art of your Success cards" /></div>
A one-stop shop for all types of gifts, Art Of Your Success offers products that motivate, organise and celebrate training and racing - whether it&rsquo;s recording and reflecting on your training in a journal, drinking a post session coffee out of a mug, or wearing a marathon t shirt to collect your race number.
<a href="https://artofyoursuccess.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Available at Art Of Your Success</a>

Gift guide for athletics fans

Britain&rsquo;s world 1500m champion Josh Kerr will headline the men&rsquo;s two mile field when he returns to the Millrose Games, a World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold event, for the fifth time on 11 February.
Kerr, the Olympic bronze medallist, ran 3:48.87 for the mile in Boston in 2022 and sits fourth on the world indoor all-time list for the discipline. He will look to make a similar statement in the two-mile event when he races at The Armory in New York in February.
He won the 3000m at this year&rsquo;s Millrose Games, his season opener, in 7:33.47 and went on to take the world 1500m title in Budapest. Kerr was second in the Millrose Games mile in 2022, while he was also second and fourth in that discipline in New York in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
The world indoor two-mile best is 8:03.40, set by Britain&rsquo;s Mo Farah in Birmingham in 2015.
&ldquo;There's going to be a fantastic field and it will be paced at the two-mile world record,&rdquo; Kerr told CitiusMag. &ldquo;Currently, I'm in fantastic shape. I'm having an amazing fall and dealing with everything new and everything that's exciting, amazing and also terrible about being a world champion. I'm very excited for it.&rdquo;
More than 50 meetings feature on the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Tour calendar, including seven Gold level events, in a season that culminates with the World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24.
Other athletes already confirmed for next year&rsquo;s Tour include world gold medallists Noah Lyles, Jake Wightman and Gabby Thomas, who will all compete at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston on 4 February.

Britain’s world 1500m champion Josh Kerr will headline the men’s two mile field at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold event

Kerr returns to New York targeting fast two miles

South Africa&rsquo;s Adriaan Wildschutt and USA&rsquo;s Katie Wasserman were victorious at the Cross Champs &ndash; this season&rsquo;s seventh World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meeting &ndash; in Austin, Texas, on Thursday (30).
Wildschutt kicked away from defending champion Edwin Kurgat of Kenya to win the men&rsquo;s title, while Wasserman held off her compatriot Katie Izzo to claim the women&rsquo;s crown after racing over 8km on a rainy morning at Camp Mabry.
Wesley Kiptoo went out hard from the start of the men&rsquo;s race, forcing the field to string out. A breakaway group of six ran single file before regrouping, with Kiptoo to the fore as the first mile was covered in 4:25. David Ribich held on to the back of the pack but when he was dropped that lead group was down to five, with Kiptoo, Kurgat and Wildschutt joined by Charles Hicks and Ahmed Muhumed.
Racing on a mile loop course, the second circuit was covered in 4:26 before Kiptoo moved to the back of the pack midway through the third lap, with Wildschutt pushing the pace.
From there Wildschutt, the 2021 NCAA Cross Country Championships runner-up who placed 14th in Austin last year, maintained the momentum and led through the three-mile mark in 13:12 after a 4:20 lap. The group covered the penultimate mile in 4:22, with Wildschutt, Kurgat, Hicks and Kiptoo all still in contention.
Then Wildschutt and Kurgat made a break and they were engaged in battle as the clock showed 20 minutes, while Kiptoo overtook Hicks to move into third place.
Looking determined, Wildschutt kicked again and glanced over his shoulder but there was no major threat and he crossed the line unchallenged to win in 22:08, four seconds ahead of Kurgat.
Kenya&rsquo;s Kiptoo, who finished 12th on his marathon debut in Chicago last month, held on for third place in 22:15, finishing narrowly ahead of Britain&rsquo;s 2022 NCAA champion Hicks, who recorded the same time for fourth. USA&rsquo;s Muhumed was fifth in 22:27.
&ldquo;Our plan for the team was to go out pretty hard and keep it honest,&rdquo; Wildschutt told RunnerSpace after leading Hoka NAZ Elite to the team title. &ldquo;I was just trying to see how it felt running under 4:30 for the first mile, to see how the course was. It&rsquo;s rainy, but it&rsquo;s not terrible, so I just tucked in there to see how long I could go.
&ldquo;When the pace started to slow down in the middle of the race I made sure to push it a little bit to keep it up there, because I think that&rsquo;s my strength. Coming around for the last two laps I thought okay, this is my chance. It was tough because obviously the competitors are fierce,&rdquo;&nbsp;added the multiple national record-holder, who finished 14th in the 10,000m at the World Championships in Budapest.
Now targeting the 10,000m at the Paris Olympics, Wildschutt hopes to race over 5000m indoors before preparing for the outdoor season.
In the women&rsquo;s race, Wasserman was always to the fore and she ran alongside Dana Klein at the front of a large lead group that covered the first mile in 5:35.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6568d991293e30aeca2d46d9.JPG" alt="Katie Wasserman (82) leads at the Cross Champs in Austin" />
Katie Wasserman (82) leads at the Cross Champs in Austin (&copy; Kevin Morris)
</div>
With 10 minutes on the clock the lead group had reduced to 11, led by Kassie Parker, but Wasserman looked in control as she took the pack through the two-mile mark in 10:57.
That pick up in pace led to a seven-strong breakaway pack featuring Wasserman, Izzo, Parker, Klein, Marisa Howard, Abby Nichols and Mercy Chelangat, and they forged ahead to cover the third circuit in 5:20.
Chelangat was alongside Wasserman as they reached four miles in 21:33 after a 5:16 penultimate loop. A group of four &ndash; Wasserman, Izzo, Chelangat and Nichols &ndash; then broke away over the hay bale section of the course on the final circuit and when Nichols couldn&rsquo;t maintain the pace, the race was down to three.
Although Wasserman ran wide and had to cross back on to the course in the closing stages, she had built enough of a lead to ensure that she could cross the finish line clear, clocking 26:50 to win by two seconds ahead of Izzo.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve never run an 8km before so I was like, I have to make sure I can make it to the final lap before I decide to push,&rdquo; said Wasserman, who also led Hoka NAZ Elite to the team win. &ldquo;Then I was feeling good, so I was like okay, it&rsquo;s time to go!&rdquo;
Chelangat, who recently ran 1:11:37 on her half marathon debut in Boston, was third in 26:55, while Nichols was fourth in 27:09 and Howard fifth in 27:11.
<h3>Leading results</h3>
Women 1 Katie Wasserman (USA) 26:50 2 Katie Izzo (USA) 26:52 3 Mercy Chelangat (KEN) 26:55 4 Abby Nichols (USA) 27:09 5 Marisa Howard (USA) 27:11 6 Dana Klein (USA) 27:12 7 Kassie Parker (USA) 27:30 8 Angelia Rafter (USA) 27:35
Men 1 Adriaan Wildschutt (RSA) 22:08 2 Edwin Kurgat (KEN) 22:12 3 Wesley Kiptoo (KEN) 22:15 4 Charles Hicks (GBR) 22:15 5 Ahmed Muhumed (USA) 22:27 6 Olin Hacker (USA) 22:59 7 Alec Basten (USA) 23:18 8 Casey Comber (USA) 23:20

South Africa’s Adriaan Wildschutt and USA’s Katie Wasserman were victorious at this season’s seventh World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meeting

Wildschutt and Wasserman win cross country crowns in Austin

World Athletics is seeking a Brand Experience Coordinator to join its&nbsp;Marketing team.
The&nbsp;Brand Experience Coordinator will&nbsp;develop and deliver marketing campaigns, working with other departments to ensure that their marketing needs are delivered and all creative work, ideas and content are right for the organisation and brand.
Their key responsibilities will also include working with external agencies and partners on developing creative content, and supporting fan facing experiential activations.
Job description: <a href="https://worldathletics.org/download/download?filename=bf9af931-3bf6-440a-b461-85b400f229d2.pdf&amp;urlSlug=brand-experience-coordinator" target="_blank" rel="noopener">English</a> | <a href="https://worldathletics.org/download/download?filename=3a4d5ae5-d39c-4f98-883c-12274de9dacb.pdf&amp;urlSlug=coordinateur-de-lexperience-de-la-marque" target="_blank" rel="noopener">French</a>
To apply, candidates should send the following in English to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:emploi@worldathletics.org">emploi@worldathletics.org</a> before 22 December 2023:
&bull; Letter of application, highlighting your interest in the post and your relevant experience &bull; Up-to-date curriculum vitae &bull; Details of current remuneration &bull; Names and contact details for three referees (referees will not be contacted until final interview stage)

World Athletics is seeking a Brand Experience Coordinator to join its Marketing team

Job vacancy: Brand Experience Coordinator

At first, he appears quiet and mild-mannered off the track, in stark contrast to his fierce competitiveness on it. But don't be fooled by his gentle and unassuming nature; a strong sense of determination fuels him.
Meet Antonio Watson, the newly minted world 400m champion. His stunning victory on that beautiful evening in Budapest in August saw him join a distinguished group of Jamaican 400m runners who have won senior global titles. 
In 1983, Bertland Cameron won Jamaica's first 400m gold medal at the inaugural edition of the World Championships held in Helsinki, Finland. Cameron followed in the footsteps of Dr. Arthur Wint and George Rhoden, who won Olympic gold medals in the 400m in 1948 and 1952, respectively.
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HS8o86U24Bs?si=Vnyc7WzkymCPnAOv" width="100%" height="475" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h2>Early days</h2>
Watson hails from the Duncans community in Trelawny, a parish known for producing many of Jamaica's top athletes, such as Usain Bolt, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Omar Brown, Warren Weir, Lerone Clarke, Marvin Anderson, Ricardo Chambers and Inez Turner.
Watson's prodigious talent came to light over a decade ago at the prestigious JPS Western U12 Primary Championships, when he was competing for Duncans All-Age School. After attending a coaching seminar in Montego Bay, Watson's primary school coach teamed up with Machel Woolery to create a roadmap for Watson's success.
This resulted in him travelling 90km to attend the Petersfield High School in Westmoreland. Despite limited resources, he became a top performer in Jamaica's high school system. He recalls excelling in football, briefly following in his father's footsteps before discovering his true calling in athletics.
Initially, he competed in strength and endurance events due to his natural athleticism and potential. &ldquo;I did the 800m and shot put at Western Champs and the 1500m at the Boys and Girls Championships,&rdquo; Watson says.
Despite his versatility, Watson realised early on that specialising in one or two events was needed to reach the pinnacle. He chose sprinting and identified with the 200m and 400m, earning several gold medals, including the 400m world U18 title in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2017.&nbsp;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/65686c9b8c721d977b8002c2.jpg" alt="Antonio Watson at the 2017 World U18 Championships in Nairobi" />
Antonio Watson at the 2017 World U18 Championships in Nairobi (&copy; Getty Images)
</div>
Just as his stocks began to soar, Watson faced a few setbacks. He was frustrated by a hamstring injury in 2019, forcing him to miss the 200m and 400m finals at the Jamaican high school championships. The following year, the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world, leading to the cancellation of numerous global events.
<h2>Youthful exuberance</h2>
In the 2021 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships, held behind closed doors, Watson won his favourite event, the 200m. This cemented his legacy as one of the few athletes to achieve this feat across all age groups. &ldquo;I love the 200m because it&rsquo;s not just about raw speed; you have to combine speed and strength, and I appreciate that,&rdquo; says Watson.
There was controversy surrounding his victory celebration, but Watson learnt from the experience. Raising his left hand, Watson appeared to make a pointing and shooting gesture when crossing the finish line, but his sincere apology for the pre-planned quirk demonstrated responsibility and commitment to making things right. 
&ldquo;I learned a valuable lesson that not everything one thinks, they should do,&rdquo; he says.
He remained resolute in not letting the incident affect his morale and enthusiasm.
A few months later, he faced an important decision. Unlike many of his peers, Watson never considered training overseas and believed that staying home was his best option. &ldquo;I had received offers from abroad, but I was never a foreign-minded individual,&rdquo; Watson explains. &ldquo;After having a conversation with Coach Glen Mills earlier in the year, I felt he was the right person to take me to the next level.&rdquo;&nbsp;
After graduating high school in 2021, Watson joined the Racers Track Club under the guidance of Mills, who led the legendary Bolt to multiple Olympic and world titles. &ldquo;I got a good reception at the club,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Everyone was welcoming and fun to be around.&rdquo;
<h2>Winning formula</h2>
The partnership proved successful within two years, as Mills produced his first 400m world champion. During an impressive 2023 outdoor season, Watson won nine out of 10 400m races, setting multiple personal bests. He suffered his only defeat in early July during the Jamaica National Senior Championships.
&ldquo;I went to Budapest with the right mindset,&rdquo; explains Watson. &ldquo;After reaching the final of the World Championships, running 44.13 in the semis and becoming the third fastest Jamaican ever, I promised myself I would make it on to the podium no matter what.&rdquo;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/65686e6d267b20cb67199477.jpg" alt="Antonio Watson celebrates his world 400m title win" />
Antonio Watson celebrates his world 400m title win (&copy; Getty Images)
</div>
In the final, he ran 44.22 &ndash; the second-fastest time of his career behind his PB from the semifinals &ndash; to triumph ahead of Great Britain&rsquo;s Matthew Hudson-Smith and USA&rsquo;s Quincy Hall.
"I am really proud I am bringing gold to Jamaica," he said at the time. "This is an amazing season for me. After winning the world youth title in 2017, it is amazing to win the gold medal at my first senior World Championships. I believed in myself."
His motivation to succeed comes from his close-knit family, which includes his parents, grandparents and three younger sisters. They inspire him to be the best version of himself.
While preparing for major championships, Watson&rsquo;s unwavering steadfastness and unrelenting work ethic sets him apart. &ldquo;I always try to focus and execute the plans of my coach and avoid social media and other distractions,&rdquo; he says.
It is difficult for athletes to achieve their life goals without trusting their support staff. Watson acknowledges the value of his mentors, who have influenced him to understand his perspective. &ldquo;Thanks to my agent, Cubie Seegobin, I am now financially responsible and equipped with the necessary skills to prepare for life beyond sports,&rdquo; Watson adds.
During his free time, Watson enjoys playing FIFA and listening to music. Returning home following his world title win, Watson, who received the keys to the city of Savanna-la-Mar, the capital of Westmoreland, found ways to deal with his newfound fame. "Coping with international stardom has been hectic, but I&rsquo;m managing,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;I remain grounded and humble. I&rsquo;m never letting fame get to my head.&rdquo;
With the Paris Olympics next on the horizon, Watson understands he can no longer fly under the radar.
&ldquo;Being world champion, I know I need to step up my game and work even harder,&rdquo; he acknowledges. &ldquo;The competition will be fierce, but I&rsquo;ll be heading back to the drawing board with my coach and coming up with a plan.&rdquo;
Noel Francis for World Athletics

Watson's victory in Budapest saw him join a distinguished group of Jamaican 400m runners who have won senior global titles

World champion Watson, no longer flying under the radar

Three-quarters (75%) of our sport&rsquo;s athletes perceive a direct negative impact on their health and performance due to climate change with 85% expressing that the sport of athletics has experienced adverse consequences, according to the third annual survey* conducted by World Athletics to gauge the attitudes of elite athletes about environmental and social issues.
These survey results, published to coincide with the start of the COP28 United Nations Climate Change Conference which gets under way tomorrow (30) in Dubai, mark a notable increase from <a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletics-better-world/news/athletes-share-serious-concerns-about-climate-crisis-world-athletics-survey" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/athletics-better-world/news/athletes-share-serious-concerns-about-climate-crisis-world-athletics-survey">2022</a> when 72% believed climate change had negatively affected the sport and 66% reported a direct impact.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6567ce576959b11a8af8744d.jpg" alt="World Athletics climate change survey 2023" />
&nbsp;
</div>
The survey of nearly 400 athletes who competed at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 in August also found that 77% and 83%, respectively, said they were either extremely concerned or very concerned about the climate crisis and air pollution while 90% said that World Athletics has a role to play in building a more sustainable future.
Athletes&rsquo; increasing concern aligns with the current situation, as 2023 is poised to be the hottest year on record. A UN warning of a potential catastrophic 2.5&deg;C to 2.9&deg;C temperature increase signals a heightened likelihood of more frequent extreme weather events impacting the health of athletes and the sport of athletics in the coming years.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: "Our athletes continue to speak clearly about the impacts that the climate crisis is having on their lives and on their sport. Their concern is loud and clear. It's important for us to continue to act on those concerns and use the influence we have to help drive meaningful change."
Acting on those concerns, in 2022 World Athletics established its <a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletics-better-world/news/champions-better-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/athletics-better-world/news/champions-better-world">&lsquo;Champions for a Better World&rsquo;</a>, a group of nine athletes representing each of its six continental areas who are lending their voices to sustainability campaigning within the sport, allowing athletes to collectively raise awareness about climate change. As the group enters its second year, Australian race walker Rhydian Cowley becomes its newest member, joining a distinguished lineup of athletes that includes Kelsey-Lee Barber (Australia, javelin), Ajla Del Ponte (Switzerland, sprints), Alison Dos Santos (Brazil, hurdles), Sam Mattis (USA, discus), Eliza McCartney (New Zealand, pole vault), Ernest John Obiena (Philippines, pole vault), Elena Vallortigara (Italy, high jump) and Hugues Fabrice Zango (Burkina Faso, triple jump).
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6567ce7c6959b11a8af8744e.jpg" alt="World Athletics climate change survey 2023" />
&nbsp;
</div>
In its inaugural year, Champions for a Better World athletes participated in meet-and-greet events in the <a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletics-better-world/news/wch-budapest-23-green-zone" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/athletics-better-world/news/wch-budapest-23-green-zone">Green Zone</a> at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23, contributed to an Earth Day video project and promoted workshops and individual initiatives with their fans and fellow athletes.
To mark the start of its second year and welcome Cowley, a two-time Olympian, the group has collaborated on a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0OzV8dMxqv/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">new video</a> spotlighting some of their own sustainable everyday habits to highlight, according to the survey, that 77% of athletes expressed a willingness to change their lifestyles to reduce their impact on the environment.
Over the last year, World Athletics concluded the second pilot year of its <a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletics-better-world/sustainability/athletics-for-a-better-world-standard" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/athletics-better-world/sustainability/athletics-for-a-better-world-standard">Athletics for a Better World (ABW) Standard</a>, a certification developed to assess events' sustainability in alignment with the organisation's strategy. Scheduled for launch in January 2024, the standard has been introduced to organisers of nearly 300 events since its unveiling in December 2021. Budapest, hosting the 2023 World Championships, emerged as the first local organising committee to fully embrace and test the standard. The ABW Standard played a key role in World Athletics achieving ISO 20121 sustainable event certification in April, validating the effectiveness of its sustainability efforts.
World Athletics
*373 athletes participated in the survey, conducted between 20 August and 15 September 2023.

Three-quarters (75%) of our sport’s athletes perceive a direct negative impact on their health and performance due to climate change

Three-quarters of athletes directly impacted by climate change, World Athletics survey finds

US cross-country champion Ednah Kurgat will look to improve upon her third-place finish from last year when she lines up for the Cross Champs &ndash; the only US-based Gold stage of the World Athletics Cross Country Tour &ndash; in Austin, Texas, on Thursday (30).
Meanwhile, the likes of Wesley Kiptoo, Olin Hacker and Adriaan Wildschutt will also return to Austin where they&rsquo;ll face the likes of Charles Hicks.
Kurgat&rsquo;s last cross-country race was at the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, where she placed 18th in the senior women&rsquo;s race. She went on to enjoy a strong track campaign in 2023, setting PBs for 5000m and 10,000m, and taking bronze in the latter distance at the Pan-American Games.
She has also excelled on the roads, winning the US 6km title and picking up national medals over 10km and 20km. Kurgat placed third in Austin last year, finishing 12 seconds adrift of eventual winner Alicia Monson, but she&rsquo;ll feel confident in her chances of improving upon that on Thursday.
She&rsquo;ll face stiff opposition from Kenya&rsquo;s Mercy Chelangat and USA&rsquo;s Krissy Gear.
Chelangat has won NCAA titles over 10,000m (2022) and at cross country (2020). She recently made her half marathon debut, clocking 1:11:37 in Boston earlier this month.
Gear, meanwhile, won the US steeplechase title earlier this year, clocking a PB of 9:12.81. Thursday&rsquo;s race will be her first competitive outing since the World Championships in Budapest.
Katie Izzo joined Kurgat on the USA&rsquo;s team for the World Cross earlier this year, eventually placing 31st. She heads to Austin in good form, having set PBs this year for 10,000m and the half marathon.
Marisa Howard is another entrant who has represented the USA at a World Cross, having competed at the 2017 edition. The steeplechase specialist was a bronze medallist at the 2019 Pan-American Games.
Mahelet Mulugeta, who represented Ethiopia over 800m at the 2017 World Championships, has moved up in distance in recent years and should be competitive on Thursday. USA&rsquo;s Emily Venters, who finished second over 10,000m at this year&rsquo;s NCAA Championships, should also be in contention.
Wesley Kiptoo and Olin Hacker were separated by just two seconds in the men&rsquo;s race in Austin last year, finishing sixth and seventh respectively. Both will be targeting podium places on Thursday, having enjoyed strong seasons so far in 2023.
Kiptoo, the 2021 NCAA indoor 5000m champion, made his marathon debut in Chicago last month, finishing 12th in 2:10:28. Earlier this year, he clocked a PB of 1:00:35 when finishing second at the Houston Half Marathon.
Hacker, the 2022 NCAA 5000m champion, has this year set PBs for the 1500m, mile, 3000m and 5000m. More recently, he placed 14th over 5km at the World Road Running Championships in Riga.
Britain&rsquo;s Charles Hicks will likely be a tough opponent. He won the European U23 5000m title earlier this year, but he excels at cross country too, having won two European U23 titles on that surface, as well as the 2022 NCAA title.
South Africa&rsquo;s Adriaan Wildschutt will also be difficult to beat. This year he has set national records at 3000m (7:39.25), 5000m (13:02.46) and 10,000m (27:23.10), and placed 14th in the 10,000m at the World Championships in Budapest. He was runner-up at the 2021 NCAA Cross Country Championships and placed 14th in Austin last year, but he&rsquo;d have gained confidence from his recent 10km victory in Cape Town, where he clocked 27:53 to win by more than a minute.
Other contenders include Tunisia&rsquo;s 2022 NCAA steeplechase champion Ahmed Jaziri, Kenya&rsquo;s 2018 NCAA 10,000m silver medallist Vincent Kiprop, and USA&rsquo;s Pan-American 1500m bronze medallist Casey Comber.

US cross-country champion Ednah Kurgat will look to improve upon her third-place finish from last year

Kurgat seeks redemption on return to Austin

World mixed 4x400m record 3:08.80 United States (Justin Robinson, Rosey Effiong, Matthew Boling, Alexis Holmes) Budapest, 19 August 2023
&nbsp;
The world mixed 4x400m record of 3:08.80 set by the triumphant US team at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 has now been ratified.
Their record-breaking performance provided a dramatic climax of the opening night of action at this year&rsquo;s World Championships.
First-leg runner Justin Robinson gave the USA an early lead, but the Netherlands were close behind. Lieke Klaver put the Netherlands into pole position at half way with a marginal lead over Rosey Effiong of the USA.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pTgunLZB4G8" width="100%" height="470" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Isaya Klein Ikkink maintained Netherlands&rsquo; lead on the third leg, but USA&rsquo;s Matthew Boling had closed the gap. Hurdles specialist Femke Bol took up the running for the Netherlands on the anchor leg, and looked to be on her way to victory, but her legs started to tire in the closing stages. USA&rsquo;s Alexis Holmes, meanwhile, was starting to close.
With just metres left, Bol&rsquo;s legs buckled as Holmes drew level. Bol crashed to the ground while Holmes went on to cross the line in 3:08.80 to secure the title for the USA.
Their winning time took more than half a second off the previous world record set by a different US squad at the World Championships in Doha on 29 September 2019.
World Athletics

USA's 3:08.80 clocking from the mixed 4x400m at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 is now officially in the record books

Ratified: USA’s world mixed 4x400m record

Ahead of the World Athletics Awards 2023, a digital exhibition has been created featuring the 12 images shortlisted for World Athletics Photograph of the Year.
From the 134 images that were submitted, a panel of judges &ndash; comprising Valerie Adams, Raquel Cavaco Nunes, Joel Marklund, Pascal Rondeau and Blanka Vlasic &ndash; selected the below 12 shortlisted images and then the three finalists.
The <a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/finalists-2023-photograph-year" target="_blank" rel="noopener">finalists were announced on 21 November</a> and the winning photograph will be announced on World Athletics&rsquo; platforms in early December, as part of the World Athletics Awards 2023.
<h2>Digital exhibition of shortlisted images</h2>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/65649827505126c25c3bd143.jpg" alt="David Balogh - 2023 digital exhibition" />
The men's pole vault final during day eight of the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 at the National Athletics Centre Photo by David Balogh 
&nbsp;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/65649853505126c25c3bd146.jpg" alt="Sam Barnes - 2023 digital exhibition" />
Alexis Holmes of USA, left, on her way to winning the mixed 4x400m as Femke Bol of Netherlands falls at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 Photo by Sam Barnes, Sportsfile 
&nbsp;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/65649877505126c25c3bd149.JPG" alt="Fabrizio Bensch - 2023 digital exhibition" />
Sha'Carri Richardson of USA crosses the line to win the women's 100m final at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 Photo by Fabrizio Bensch, Reuters 
&nbsp;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6564989f505126c25c3bd14c.JPG" alt="Sandor Csudai - 2023 digital exhibition" />
Noah Lyles of USA celebrates winning the men's 100m final at the National Athletics Centre, Budapest Photo by Sandor Csudai 
&nbsp;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/656498c4505126c25c3bd14f.jpg" alt="Anton Geyser - 2023 digital exhibition" />
Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy winning gold in the high jump at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 Photo by Anton Geyser, South African Sports Images 
&nbsp;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/656498f0505126c25c3bd152.jpg" alt="Andrej Isakovic - 2023 digital exhibition" />
Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi celebrates winning the men's high jump final during the World Athletics Championships at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest Photo by Andrej Isakovic, AFP 
&nbsp;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/65649917a3044b51d9376e3b.jpg" alt="Meng Dingbo - 2023 digital exhibition" />
Athletes set off during the women's 100m final of the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 Photo by Meng Dingbo, Xinhua News Agency 
&nbsp;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/65649936a3044b51d9376e3e.JPG" alt="Mattia Ozbot - 2023 digital exhibition" />
Leo Neugebauer of Germany in the decathlon pole vault at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 Photo by Mattia Ozbot, World Athletics Photography Workshop 
&nbsp;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/65649955a3044b51d9376e41.jpg" alt="Martin Rickett - 2023 digital exhibition" />
Athletes compete in the men's marathon as it passes through Heroes' Square on day nine of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary Photo by Martin Rickett, PA Wire 
&nbsp;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/65649970a3044b51d9376e44.JPG" alt="Felix Sanchez - 2023 digital exhibition" />
Five men&rsquo;s 100m finalists prepare for the race with different gestures and in search of the gold medal, with the public watching the action at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest Photo by Felix Sanchez, Corredor 
&nbsp;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6564998ba3044b51d9376e47.jpg" alt="Patrick Smith - 2023 digital exhibition" />
Kyle Blignaut of South Africa competes in men's shot put qualification during day one of the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 at the National Athletics Centre Photo by Patrick Smith, Getty Images 
&nbsp;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/656499b1a3044b51d9376e4a.jpg" alt="Michael Stricker - 2023 digital exhibition" />
Women&rsquo;s high jump winner Nicola Olyslagers of Australia cheers after clearing a world lead and winning jump of 2.02m at the Diamond League, Athletissima, in Lausanne Photo by Michael Stricker 
&nbsp;
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

A digital exhibition has been created featuring the 12 images shortlisted for World Athletics Photograph of the Year

Digital exhibition: 2023 World Athletics Photograph of the Year shortlisted images

Burundi&rsquo;s Rodrigue Kwizera and Ethiopia's Likina Amebaw confirmed their supremacy at the Cross Internacional de la Constitucion, the sixth Gold meeting in this season&rsquo;s World Athletics Cross Country Tour, in Alcobendas, Spain, on Sunday (26).
In doing so, the 23-year-old Burundian retained his title in style while Amebaw managed her first win here after finishing third two years ago.
Held in pleasant weather conditions, the men's 10.1km contest opened with Eritrea's Filmon Kibrom taking an early lead, closely followed by Kwizera and Uganda's Martin Kiprotich. Once the third kilometre was over, the leading pack was compounded by the those three plus Eritrea's Aron Kifle, Burundi's Celestin Ndikumana, Rwanda's Yves Nimubona and the surprise Spaniard Andreu Blanes, a former world junior silver medallist in orienteering races who only took up athletics in 2018.
Kwizera moved to the front for the first time roughly 11 minutes into the race, but he didn't increase the cadence; the lead group covered the second big loop in 6:55, 12 seconds slower than the first. Despite that, Nimubona started to lose ground at halfway just before 20-year-old Kiprotich decided to increase the rhythm which could only be followed by Kwizera.
Having covered the third 2.3km lap in 6:37, Kiprotich still had Kwizera for company at the bell while Ndikumana and Kibrom were three seconds adrift of them with Blanes running alone in fifth.
On his fourth consecutive appearance in Alcobendas, Kwizera took advantage of his knowledge of the circuit to unleash a decisive change of speed with exactly one kilometre remaining. From then on, he extended his lead on Kiprotich to secure his third successive following a speedy 6:28 final lap. The in-form Kiprotich, who finished 18th at this year&rsquo;s World Cross, finished second and Ndikumana broke away from Kibrom midway through the closing circuit to place third.
It means the men&rsquo;s title in Alcobendas has been in Burundian hands since 2019 when Thierry Ndikumwenayo took the spoils; Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo was the last non-Burundian to win here back in 2018.
&ldquo;Honestly, it was not an especially difficult triumph for me as I'm in good shape now,&rdquo; said a confident Kwizera, whose next race will be in Venta de Ba&ntilde;os on 17 December.
Italy's multiple European U20 and U23 cross-country champion Nadia Battocletti set the pace in the women&rsquo;s 8.1km event. Shortly after reaching the opening kilometre, just six athletes remained in close attendance: compatriot Anna Arnaudo, the Ethiopian pair of Amebaw and Asayech Ayichew, Kenya's Lucy Mawia, Hungary's Lili Anna Vindics-Toth and France's Alessia Zarbo, the latter being the first casualty some seven minutes into the race.
The Italian's relentless cadence progressively paid off as firstly the Hungarian steeplechaser and then her compatriot Arnaudo could not live with her kind of pace and the race became a four-woman fight between Battocletti, Amebaw, Ayichew and Mawia when the clock read 11:30.
During the penultimate loop, it became apparent that Mawia hadn&rsquo;t fully recovered from the injury that forced her to drop out in the closing stages last weekend in Soria and began to falter while Ayichew emerged as a strong leader and pushed hard before reaching the bell, the last circuit taking 7:37. By then, Ayichew and Amebaw led with Battocletti a couple of seconds behind, but the Italian managed to reel in the Ethiopans and catch them a few hundred metres later.
With just over a kilometre left, Battocletti's resistence came to an end. Spain-based Amebaw made her decisive move with about 700 metres to go, gradually opening a big gap on Ayichew.
Amebaw eventually crossed the line five seconds clear of her compatriot thanks to a 7:18 superb last circuit. Ayichew placed second, 12 seconds ahead of Battocletti with Mawia taking fourth spot.
&ldquo;I felt a bit uneasy and heavy at the beginning but then I began to feel much better,&rdquo; said Amebaw. &ldquo;I like this kind of course, full of ups and downs, I really enjoy them; my next cross country competitions will be in Aranda de Duero (3 December) and Cantimpalos (10 December) before resuming the World Athletics Cross Country Tour in 2024. I'm also targeting a quick time over 10km in the coming months.&rdquo;
Emeterio Valiente for World Athletics
<h3>Leading results</h3>
Women (8.1km) 1 Likina Amebaw (ETH) 26:33 2 Asayech Ayichew (ETH) 26:38 3 Nadia Battocletti (ITA) 26:50 4 Lucy Mawia (KEN) 27:26 5 Anna Arnaudo (ITA) 27:43 6 Cristina Ruiz (ESP) 27:58 7 Lili Anna Vindics-Toth (HUN) 28:12 8 Claudia Est&eacute;vez (ESP) 28:30 9 Azucena D&iacute;az (ESP) 28:40 10 Alessia Zarbo (FRA) 28:44
Men (10.1km) 1 Rodrigue Kwizera (BDI) 29:30 2 Martin Kiprotich (UGA) 29:38 3 Celestin Ndikumana (BDI) 29:52 4 Filmon Kibrom (ERI) 29:54 5 Aron Kifle (ERI) 30:07 6 Andreu Blanes (ESP) 30:15 7 Yves Nimubona (RWA) 30:28 8 David Bascu&ntilde;ana (ESP) 30:52 9 Oliver L&ouml;fqvist (SWE) 30:56 10 Roberto Al&aacute;iz (ESP) 31:12

Burundi’s Rodrigue Kwizera and Ethiopia's Likina Amebaw confirmed their supremacy at the Cross Internacional de la Constitucion

Kwizera and Amebaw stamp their authority in Alcobendas

Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba of Kenya emerged victorious from a three-man battle in the last kilometres to secure the title at the Shanghai Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label road race, improving the Chinese all-comers&rsquo; record to 2:05:35 on Sunday (26).
The 25-year-old Kenyan chopped nearly two minutes off his personal best of 2:07:28, set when winning the 2022 Munich Marathon, beating the course record of 2:07:14 set by compatriot Paul Lonyangata eight years ago, and smashing the Chinese all-comers&rsquo; record of 2:06:19 set by Kenya&rsquo;s Moses Mosop in Xiamen in 2015.
It's the third marathon title of the year for Kipchumba, who has remained unbeaten in 2023 following victories in Hong Kong in February and Xiamen in April.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s my first time in Shanghai. The course is very good and the weather for today is perfect,&rdquo; said Kipchumba. &ldquo;I am so grateful to win the race and to break the course record, and even China&rsquo;s (all-comers&rsquo;) record.&rdquo;
Running under sunny but cool weather conditions, a crowded leading pack of about 15 runners led the men&rsquo;s race to a fast pace in early stages, hitting the 10km mark in 29:50, 15km in 44:48 and 20km in 59:55.
After the leaders passed the 25km water tables, only four runners managed to keep up with the pacer, including Kipchumba, Kenyan duo Solomon Kirwa Yego and Kenneth Keter, as well as Tanzania&rsquo;s 2017 world bronze medallist Alphonce Simbu.
The pacer stepped off the course soon after the leading quartet passed 30km in 1:29:24, by which point they were already more than one minute ahead of course record pace. And the leading group kept pushing ahead.
After 38km, the 36-year-old Yego &ndash; a 2:06:24 performer and winner of the 2023 Copenhagen Marathon &ndash; was the first to make his move. Although his attempt to pull clear was in vain, Keter started to fade away. Simbu then sped up to take the pole position near 40km. But both Yego and Kipchumba managed to keep up.
The three men were neck-and-neck with just one kilometre to go, but the in-form Kipchumba waited for another 500m to launch his final charge, going on to win in 2:05:35.
Simbu &ndash; twice a top-eight finisher at the Olympic Games &ndash; trailed four seconds behind Kipchumba to take second place with a PB of 2:05:39, followed by Yego in 2:05:42.
The organisers had assembled a quality field in the women&rsquo;s race, which featured five sub-2:21 runners headed by Tadu Teshome of Ethiopia with a PB of 2:17:36, the pace of the first 15km was relatively slow compared to the course record time of 2:20:36 set by Ethiopian Yebrgual Melese in 2018.
Teshome led a group of 10 runners through the opening five kilometres in 17:00 before passing 10km in 33:47 and 15km in 50:36. The lead pack was trimmed to six after hitting the 20km mark in 1:07:01, and the pre-race favourite Teshome started to drift away after 30km.
Ethiopia&rsquo;s Siranesh Yirga, a 2:21:08 performer, managed to pull clear near the 35km mark. At 40km, the 23-year-old was already about 200m ahead of the sole chaser Selly Chepyego of Kenya.
Yirga kept her pace until breaking the tape in 2:21:28. It is the fourth marathon title in five races for the rising Ethiopian, who just moved to the classic distance in 2022, securing victories in Lagos, Madrid and Ljubljana last year and finishing third in Dubai this February.
Kenyan veteran Chepyego, 38, finished second in 2:21:55, the fourth fastest time of her career. Bahrain&rsquo;s Asian Games champion Eunice Chumba took third in 2:22:20.
Vincent Wu for World Athletics
<h3>Leading results</h3>
Women 1 Siranesh Yirga Dagne (ETH) 2:21:28 2 Selly Chepyego Kaptich (KEN) 2:21:51 3 Eunice Chebichii Chumba (KEN) 2:22:20 4 Sandra Felis Chebet Tuei (KEN) 2:22:22 5 Emily Chepkemoi Arusio (KEN) 2:23:40 6 Tadu Teshome Nare (ETH) 2:25:05 7 Chernet Misganaw Takele (ETH) 2:26:16 8 Jackline Sakilu (TAN) 2:26:50
Men 1 Philimon Kitoo Kipchumba (KEN) 2:05:35 2 Alphonce Felix Simbu (TAN) 2:05:39 3 Solomon Kirwa Yego (KEN) 2:05:42 4 Kenneth Keter (KEN) 2:05:53 5 Enoch Onchari (KEN) 2:07:47 6 Kinde Atanew Ayaler (ETH) 2:08:27 7 Debesay Desale Tekelemarian (ETH) 2:09:19 8 Nicholas Kirwa (KEN) 2:11:16

Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba smashes PB with 2:05:35