Edward Zakayo faces Uganda challenge in Spain's cross country

Nairobi: World junior 5,000 metre champion Edward Zakayo of Kenya is hopeful of launching his cross country career on a winning note in Soria in Spain on Sunday. The International Cross Country of Soria is part of the IAAF Cross Country permit series.

Zakayo, 16, said he feels ready to reignite his career as he targets to make the Kenya team to the World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark in March.

In Soria, he will be up against defending champion Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda, the World Junior Cross Country champion who turned 18 this week and is fresh from a commanding win in Atapuerca, Spain last Sunday.

They competed over the 5,000m event in Tampere, Finland during the World Junior Championships in July when Zakayo triumphed and Kiplimo placed sixth. But Kiplimo beat Zakayo to third in Atapuerca by 15 seconds.

Uganda's Timothy Toroitich and Teklemariam Medhin of Eritrea will also challenge for podium places. Toroitich, 27, had a hat- trick of wins between 2014 and 2016 and finished runner-up last year. IANS

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