By Owen Morgan
Cardiff Cross Challenge celebrates its 25th anniversary on Saturday by welcoming a global entry to Llandaff Fields.
The event, which see world class athletes compete alongside local club runners, kicks off the prestigious World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold season.
More than 2000 competitors aged from under-11 to over 70 will take part in an 11-race programme contested over a twisting and technical course.
This year’s event has attracted entries from around the world, including Ethiopia, Ireland, Kenya, Spain, Uganda, as well as throughout the UK.
In addition to being a World Athletics Cross Country Gold Label event, the Cardiff Cross Challenge is the first fixture of the British Athletics Cross Challenge Series.
Domestic cross country internationals will be going head-to-head for the first time as the season builds towards next month’s European Cross Country Trials in Liverpool.
In the men’s senior race, former World U20 Champion, Edward Zakayo from Kenya will have his sights set on the podium.
With a 5,000m PB of 13:03, Zakayo will be a formidable opponent for cross country experts, Joel Ayeko and Rogers Kibet from Uganda.
Gizealaw Ayana from Ethiopia however will be another strong contender after coming second place at the Cardiff Half Marathon a couple weeks back in a time of 60:17.
From a British perspective, Emile Cairess, from Leeds, will be looking to feature amongst the head of the field. The Great Britain international, who competed at this summer’s European Championships over the 10,000m, also finished second in this year’s English National Cross Country Championships.
After a strong showing at this year’s Cardiff Half and having represented Wales at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games over the marathon, Dewi Griffiths, of Swansea Harriers returns to the cross country scene.
Having previously represented Great Britain at the European Cross Country Championships, Griffiths will want to see where he stands against his British rivals.
In the women’s senior race, Pamela Kosgei, sister of reigning world marathon record holder, Brigid Kosgei finished fifth at the World Championships U20’s steeple chase this summer and will be hoping to place on the podium.
It is likely that Kosgei will be challenged by Ethiopian Wubrist Aschal who has a 1,500m personal best of 4:03 from this year over the 6,400m course.
Last year’s runner-up Pontypridd Roadent Jenny Nesbitt will be returning to try and take the win. Nesbitt finished 10th in last year’s European Cross Country Championships, one place ahead of Reading athlete Jessica Gibbon.
Gibbon, who placed third behind Nesbitt in last year’s race, returns in good form after a strong showing at the Aldershot Relays a few weeks ago. Joining her on the start line will be Kate Avery. The Shildon athlete is a veteran in the cross country world, with an NCAA title and a European Cross Country medal to her name.
Away from the senior races, the junior events also bring with them a lot of excitement with strong British representation across the board.
Sportshoes.com have partnered with Welsh Athletics to support the event and will be providing the winners of each junior race at the Cardiff Cross Challenge with online vouchers to use for any purchase on the Sportsshoes.com website.
The event also hosts the first fixture of the John H Collins Gwent League Series. Spectators can expect to see a carnival of club tents, homemade cakes, mud, and friendly banter as South Wales’ clubs renew local rivalries with each other and clubs from over the border.
Cross country season is back!
Edward Zakayo headlines this weekend’s @CrossCardiff 🏴
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) October 13, 2022
James Williams, CEO of Welsh Athletics, said of the event which was first run in the grounds of Cardiff Castle: “It’s great to see the event continues to attract a high calibre of athletes and to have so many Welsh affiliated clubs signed up to the race.
“Cardiff Cross Challenge always brings with it a great atmosphere thanks to everyone involved and we can’t wait to host the event again, 25 years on from the very first event back in 1997.”
The action kicks off with the U11 Girl’s 1,250m race at 11:30am, with the senior women’s event taking place at 13:40 and the Senior Men’s closing out the day at 14:50.
The event will be live streamed on Welsh Athletics YouTube and can be accessed here:
More information on the event can be accessed here:
https://cardiffcrosschallenge.co.uk/
Timetable – Saturday 15 October
11:30 Under 11 Girls (Inc Primary School Races) 1,250 m
11:40 Under 11 Boys (Inc Primary School Races) 1,250 m
11:50 Under 13 Girls 780m
12:05 Under 13 Boys 780m
12:20 Under 17 Men 560m
12:45 Under 17/20 Women 4,450m
13:10 Under 15 Girls 3,200m
13:25 Under 15 Boys 3,200m
13:40 Senior Women & Masters 6,400m
14:25 Under 20 Men 6,400m
14:50 Senior Men & Masters 9,600m