Bekele running at the 2002 World Cross Country Championships (© Getty Images)
Addis AbabaEthiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele, who took double World gold over the country in Dublin last March, starts as the favourite in the TOTAL Great Ethiopian Run, which takes place this Sunday in the Ethiopian capital. Yet the women’s event looks much more open, due to the last minute withdrawal of two-time Olympic 10,000m champion Derartu Tulu.
Ethiopia’s 20-year old sensation Bekele, who is making his competitive comeback after injury sidelined his plans for a summer track season, is hoping to go better than his third place finish last year, and win this year's race in front of his home crowd. He will be helped by the late withdrawal of World 10,000m silver medallist Assefa Mezgebu, who is himself still recovering from a slight leg injury.
In fact with four time World 10,000m champion Haile Gebrselassie only recently venturing back into training after his own injury problems, Ethiopia’s team sheet resembles a hospital patients waiting list more than it does a competitive running squad. Though Gebrselassie will be on hand to lend his support to the second edition of the Great Ethiopian Run, his actual participation in the race itself remains uncertain, and as such, Bekele will be the favourite for the men’s title.
Bekele will lead an Ethiopian team of four - the other runners being Sileshi Sihen, Dejene Berhane, and Abebe Tekesa - which will take on Kenya in the Ford/LandRover Team Challenge. This special competition arranged by the organizers for the first time, will bring into competition four male and four female Athletes from Ethiopia and Kenya, as selected by the Head coaches of the respective teams.
Kenya’s main challenger comes in the form of World 3000m record holder Daniel Komen, and he is joined by Paul Bitok, two-time Olympic 5000m silver medallist.
The Women’s event looks much more balanced due to the late withdrawal of Derartu Tulu and her compatriot Gete Wami. While no reason has been given for Tulu’s absence, Wami, who won the Amsterdam Marathon on her debut last week, is still suffering fatigue from her efforts.
With these elite athletes not taking part, it gives a chance for three of Ethiopia’s lesser lights to make their mark. Eyerusalem Kuma, Workinesh Kidane, and Merima Denboba will do battle among themselves for the top prize. Although not included in the team event, teenage-sensation Meseret Defar will also be another woman to watch out for, having taken an unprecedented 3000m/5000m double at the World Juniors in Jamaica earlier this year.
Kenya’s challenge for the Women’s event will be lead by Linah Cheyriot, the runner who finished seventh at the World Half Marathon Championships in Brussels in May.
Elshadai Negash for the IAAF
