Ethiopian distance runner Almaz Ayana (© Getty Images)
The African team arrives with a strong 1-2 punch, led by Almaz Ayana of Ethiopia who will start as the favourite.
Bronze medallist over the distance at the IAAF World Championships one year ago, the 22-year-old took the notoriously difficult African title in the event at this stadium last month and clocked a near-PB of 14:29.19 in Monaco, the second-fastest performance of the year.
She’ll be backed up by Kenyan Joyce Chepkirui. More of a standout on the roads this year, Chepkirui nonetheless does have Commonwealth and African gold over 10,000m on the track to her credit this season.
Briton Jo Pavey will be a strong sentimental favourite after her European gold medal-winning 10,000m run last month at age 40. An experienced tactician, Pavey also raced to bronze over this distance at the Commonwealth Games.
Bahrain’s Olympic finalist Tejitu Daba leads Asia-Pacific’s hopes. The field also includes European 10,000m silver medallist Clemence Calvin of France, and USA’s IAAF World Relays silver medallist Katie Mackey.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF