Teyiba Erkesso on the path to victory in Brussels - Iris Lotto CrossCup (© Mark Shearman)
After her defeat by Frenchwomen Bouchra Ghezielle at the Ouest France Cross Country on 15 January, Teyiba Erkesso of Ethiopia will be looking for revenge at Sunday’s EAA Lotto Cross Cup de Hannut, the key match-up that will highlight the race’s 63rd edition.
Solid head-to-head battle – women’s race
Erkesso, the bronze medallist in the short course race at the 2004 World Championships in Brussels, ran to victories at the Cross de l’Acier in France on 27 November and at the Iris Lotto CrossCup – IAAF Permit – in Brussels on 18 December, but suffered a surprise solid defeat at the hands of Ghezielle, the 1500m bronze medallist last August in Helsinki.
The 26-year-old Frenchwoman, who will arrive in Hannut after a two-week training stint in Portugal, said she’s feeling quite confident as her 2006 season continues.
“Winning a World Championship bronze medal in Helsinki last summer gave me a boost of confidence,” she said. “I feel liberated and I handle the pressure perfectly now.” After her appearance in Hannut, Ghezielle said she will focus on the indoor season.
Erkesso made her first international appearance in Hannut in 2003, at the age of 20. She was literally flying over the course then, winning the race by a wide margin. Since then, Erkesso has developed into a world class cross country runner, a career thus far topped by her podium finish in Brussels in 2004. Hoping to avoid a repeat of their last meeting, Erkesso will certainly not allow Ghezielle to break away in the early stages.
Other contenders in the women’s race include Rkia Chebili (FRA), Nelly Jepkurui (KEN), Meryem Boucetta (MAR), and Fionnuala Britton (IRL). Ghezielle’s training partner Maria Martins is also likely to start in Hannut.
Men’s race - Kigen the clear favourite
20-year-old Mike Kigen of Kenya won the international Ciudad de Valladolid Cross Country last weekend in Spain, leaving specialists such as Sergey Lebid, the European Cross Country King, and Portugal’s Eduardo Henriques behind.
In Hannut, the toughest opposition is expected to come from another Portuguese, Paulo Guerra (POR). At the age of 36, the four-times European champion is rounding back into form after a pair of sub-par years.
“I had personal problems and even considered to quit running,” Guerra said, “but I’m happy with my training and with my competitions now and my form is improving all the time.”
Ethiopians Gebo Burka and Tola Tedessa both finished among the top seven in December’s Brussels race and may well spoil Kigen’s plans. Kenyans David Langat and Wilson Chemweno and Larbi Zeroual from France complete the compact group of podium contenders. However, one can’t discount Belgian Tom Van Hooste, who finished seventh at the European Championships and fourth in Brussels. The Belgian will try to benefit from massive local support to catch up with the battles in front.
A Cross Country tradition continues
A long-standing fixture in Belgium, the Hannut race will be contested for the 63rd time on Sunday.
“It is one of the most traditional international cross country races on the continent,” said organiser Jos Van Roy. “All the big names in the history of cross country have competed and won here. Its heyday in the 1960’s and 1970’s was followed by a decline but in the early nineties, Hannut was integrated in the Belgian Cross Cup and gradually the city’s main sporting event started to live up to its great reputation and tradition again.”
A large crowd turnout is expected and the race will be televised live.
Ivo Hendrix for the IAAF
