Canadian runners at the Around The Bay Road Race won’t be the only ones braving messy conditions on a hilly course this weekend. The IAAF World Cross Country Championships go off this Sunday in Bydgoszcz, Poland. This event is often considered the premier distance running event on the planet on account of the staggeringly loaded fields and who’s who on the winners’ list. Winners in the past 15 years have included Gete Wami (2 time Berlin Marathon champ), Paula Radcliffe (current marathon world record holder), Paul Tergat (former marathon world record holder), Derartu Tulu (2 time Olympic 10000m champ), Zersenay Tadese (current half marathon world record holder), Tirunesh Dibaba (reigning Olympic 5000m and 10000m champ) and Kenenisa Bekele (greatest distance runner of all-time?).
This year however things are somewhat more uncertain, with Bekele and Tadese absent. Speculation seems to have young Paul Tanui as a favourite after his convincing win at the Kenyan Championships.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMe05Elta-Y
On the distaff side, former champ Dibaba will vie for her fifth title. Young Linet Masai will be gunning for her though, having already taken Dibaba’s 10000m World Championship last summer in a sick closeout on the final straight.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXbOBOuy5fA
Regina’s Simon Bairu carries Canada’s best hopes.
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