Beatrice Chebet started the season with a convincing victory in Spain

World cross-country champion Beatrice Chebet (Kenya) achieved a convincing victory at the 80th Elgoibar Juan Muguerza International Cross country in Spain.

The Kenyan long-distance runner, who is the new 5km world record holder, took the lead in the women’s 7.62km and eventually won the gold in 26:08 min. Second was her compatriot Edinah Jebitok with 26:10 min, and third was another representative of the African country – Grace Nawowuna with 26:25 min.

The Top 6 in the race were completed by the British athlete Niamh Brown, Sarah Astin, and Lauren Hall.

“It was difficult as the rain started just before the race but I am happy with my Spanish tour as I achieved a world record and my first win at such a prestigious race like this”, said Beatrice Chebet, whose next race will be in Eldoret (Kenya) on February, before turning her attention to the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Glasgow, which starts on March 1.

Beatrice Chebet she won the 5,000m silver at the 2022 Eugene World Athletics Championships, and became Commonwealth, African and Diamond League champion. She claimed the gold medal for the women’s senior race at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships. She took the world under-20 title in the 5,000m in 2018 and at the 2019 World Cross Country Championships.