Five East African countries to take part in the race
The 39th edition of Jan Meda International Cross Country race is set to take place on Sunday, February 13, 2022, in Addis Ababa. Including Ethiopia, five East African countries’ athletes will take part in the competition to become eligible for the 2022 cross country races.
Various elites and youth athletes are expected to participate in different disciplines. Over 700 Ethiopian athletes are likely to participate in the 6km, 8km, and 10km and in the mixed relay categories for box sexes. Athletes from regional states, city administration, clubs, sports academies, individuals, and foreign athletes are set for the race.
In a press conference held on Thursday the Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF) stated that athletes from Kenya, Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan, and Tanzania confirmed they will take part in the competition. According to the EAF’s brief, the race is set to be recognized as the first edition of the East African Cross Country Championship.
Usually held in January or February, the event serves as the national Championships for Ethiopia, doubles as the national trial for the World Athletics (WA) World Cross Country Champion, and mainly creates competition opportunities to blood in new athletes.
Apart from that, elite athletes like Muktar Edirs, Jemal Yemer and Berihu Aregawi are among the top athletes partake in the race. Meanwhile, Ababel Yishane, Melknat Wudu, and Kalikdan Fente will feature in the women’s race.
Berihu, who finished fourth in the 10k race on his Olympic debut, is among the highly expected athletes to perform in this race. Recently, he ran the fifth-fastest indoor 3000m race in history clocking in at 7:26.20.
The annual Jan Meda competition is one of the top local competitions organized by the EAF, which helps athletes evaluate their professional performance. It is also a great opportunity for the U-20 athletes in order to advance their skills and gain experience.
The 2021 World Athletics U20 Championships 3000m silver medalist, Melknat Wudu, is also among the young athletes in the championship.
The EAF stated athletes will be selected depending on the results they register for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships, which is scheduled to be held in Bathurst, Australia on February 18, 2023.
According to the EAF, 840,000 birr in prize money will be awarded to winners depending on their results.
