News26 Dec 2010


Chemos and Augusto added to Edinburgh XC field - updated

FacebookTwitterEmail

Emily Chebet of Kenya sprints to win the women's senior race in Bydgoszcz 2010 (© Getty Images)

Kenyan Milcah Chemos, the 2010 Samsung Diamond Race winner in the 3000m Steeplechase, and reigning European Cross Country champion Jessica Augusto of Portugal, will be competing in a star-studded women's international field on 8 January at the Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country, the fourth meeting of the IAAF Cross Country Permit series 2010/11.

[NOTE: Updated on 27 December, 11:30 CET - Organisers incorrectly announced that Emily Chebet, the reigning World Cross Country champion, would be competing in the event. Chebet's manager Zane Branson confirmed that she will contest only two races next month in her build up to her title defence, in Seville and Elgoibar, Spain.]

Chemos and Augusto will be competing against Kenya's current World 5000m and 10,000m gold medallists, Vivian Cheruiyot and Linet Masai over six kilometres in Holyrood Park.

Augusto, after her runaway success at the European Championships, will be carrying European hopes of a victory. It is a formidable task given the dominance of African runners who have won the event since it was first staged in the Scottish capital in 2005.

But 29-year-old Augusto had her confidence bolstered after her recent win in Albufeira, and will be determined to lift herself once more before switching her attention to the roads and making her debut in next spring's Virgin London Marathon.

"It has the makings of a classic cross country clash and I wouldn't like to place a bet on who will win," said Peter Riley, the meeting's elite athletes' coordinator.

"The Kenyans will start favourite but I'm sure Augusto will be shown the respect she deserves. Her competitors underestimate her at their peril."

The Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country will be broadcast live by BBC Television and will also feature international men's 4km and International Team Challenge which will see Great Britain and Northern Ireland Senior Men take on the United States and a European Select team over 8 kilometers.

Organisers for the IAAF
Loading...