2003 Iris Crosscup winner: Paul Tergat of Kenya (© Heerinckx)
Paul Tergat returns to one of his favourite cities on Sunday when the World Marathon record holder will aim to repeat last year's victory in the traditional pre-Christmas classic - IAAF permit cross country - Iris Lotto Crosscup race in Brussels, Belgium.
Tergat returns to the city where he set a World 10,000m record in 1997 and to a Park of Laeken cross country course where he has tasted victory three times and he will have to be at his best to add to those previous successes.
Twelve months ago Tergat made his first cross country appearance for three years amid rumours he was planning to chase a sixth World title on the surface, and while he abandoned those plans to concentrate on his marathon preparations for London and the Olympics in Athens he is still clearly a threat on the mud.
He generally followed rather than set the pace in the Belgian capital last year but when he kicked with 400m to go he instantly wrapped up victory and one press on the accelerator left his rivals trailing.
Will Lebid's strong finish strike again?
In second that day, and again facing Tergat on Saturday, was five-time European Cross Country champion Sergiy Lebid, one of the few capable of giving Tergat a race if it comes down to a sprint finish.
Lebid's first race since going out in the heats of the Olympic 5000m came last week when he retained his European Cross Country title in Heringsdorf, Germany, so he will perhaps need a couple more races to sharpen him up before he hits top form.
He was nevertheless impressive in winning by 23 seconds last week and several team medallists from Heringsdorf are in action including a strong quintet from the European champions France plus Peter Riley, fourth in Brussels last year and who helped Britain take bronze last year.
Ronald Kipchumba leads African squad
But of course it will be Tergat's fellow Africans likely to give him a tough test and outstanding young steeplechaser Ronald Kipchumba - the World junior steeplechase champion and World youth record-holder for the 'chase at 2000m and 3000m - and Great Ethiopian Run winner Abebe Dinkessa will be worth watching.
The former Leonard Muchero, now Salin Jawher Mushir of Bahrain, has run 13:00.40 for 5000m this year so should be among the contenders.
Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist Zersenay Tadesse of Eritrea, sixth in the 4km at the same venue in last winter's World Cross Country Championships, is a late addition to the field.
Among the home hopes are Tom Van Hooste who made a major impression in this race last year when setting the pace for much of the race before finally finishing third.
Three-time World champion Masai heads women's field
The women's race sees Kenya's Edith Masai, World Cross Country 4km champion for the last three years, in action.
The amazing 37-year-old heads a Kenyan challenge that includes last year's Brussels runner-up Viola Kibiwott and Viviane Cheruiyot - both former World junior champions on the surface - and the usual rivalry with Ethiopia will see Teyiba Erkesson and Great Ethiopian Run second placer Geleta Burka desperate to beat them.
European medallists Justine Bak and Jo Pavey are entered while Veerle Dejaeghere and Fatiha Baouf will try to give the home crowd something to cheer about.
Ethiopia's World junior 5000m champion Meselech Melkamu, who won the World junior cross country title on this course earlier this year, this week confirmed she will be running and despite her young age she should be a threat.
Bob Frank for the IAAF
