Annemari Sandell-Hyvärinen takes the 2008 Nordic Cross Country title (© Hasse Sjögren)
Diekirch, LuxemburgAnnemari SandellHyvärinen has an outstanding record in cross country running and the Diekirch organisers consider it an honour to welcome the Finnish athlete at their annual Eurocross.
Eurocross is an IAAF Cross Country permit meeting.
However, the now 32-year-old Sandell faces a strong international field that includes Mimi Belete from Ethiopia and Habiba Ghribi from Tunesia.
In the men’s competition all eyes are set on Robert Sigei from Kenya. Moroccan Ahmed Baday and Qatari Sultan Khamis Zaman are likely to become his main opponents.
Diekirch course probably advantages Sandell-Hyvärynen
The Diekirch Eurocross has a long tradition and a solid reputation. The course is characteristic by its steep climb to a hilltop, followed by a steep downhill section where experienced cross country runners have an advantage.
“It is a true cross country course and there is no way we’re going to change it,” says meeting director Antoine Moureaud with a huge smile. “Indeed, the bad weather from the past weeks has made the course very heavy and difficult. Today, there is even a bit of snow on the course. But this is what cross country is all about.”
Annemari Sandell-Hyvärinen is undoubtedly the most experienced cross country runner in the field next Sunday. And the Finn likes it when courses are challenging and difficult. Between 1995 and 1998 Sandell was a three times medallist at the European Cross Country Championships. She won the European title in 1995 at the age of 22 but suffered a lot from injuries between 2000 and 2006. Now in the latter stages of her career Sandell-Hyvärinen concentrates on the marathon but cross country running is still a passion for the Finn.
Her strength and experience will be an advantage but Mimi Belete and Habiba Ghribi have already proven this year that they count amongst the favourites as well. Belete made a strong appearance in Hannut recently while Ghribi has made an international breakthrough in becoming a finalist at the Olympic steeplechase in 2008. Valentyna Horpinych from the Ukraine, Linda Byrne from Ireland and Hanane Ouhaddou from Morocco complete the list of favourites.
Sigei faces Baday and Khamis Zaman
Robert Sigei has been performing consistently in cross country this season. The question is whether the Kenyan can deal with the difficult conditions next Sunday. Qatari Sultan Khamis Zaman has participated many times in Diekirch and he knows how to measure his effort on the unusual course. The organisers announced the arrival of Moroccon Ahmed Baday this morning in Luxemburg. “He has a personal best of 13:03 at 5000m and he has won a cross country in Morocco last week,” says Antoine Moureaud. “He sounds very ambitious to win the race here.”
Rachid Ezzouniou from Morocco, Filmon Ghirmai and Steffen Ulicsza from Germany and Irba Lakhal from France are also expected to be amongst the leaders in the men’s race.
Ivo Hendrix for the IAAF
