Thierry Ndikumwenayo kicks off his cross-country season in Seville

Reigning European cross-country champion Thierry Ndikumwenayo will kick off his new season at the prestigious Cross International de Italica in Seville on 8 November. The race will officially kick off the countdown to the European Championships in Belgrade on December 13.

The Spanish athlete, who won gold in Lagoa last December after a final sprint against Jimmy Gressier, missed most of the track season due to injury. However, he made an impressive comeback, finishing second in the Valencia Half Marathon on Sunday in 58:09 minutes, moving up to second in the all-time European rankings.

In Seville, Thierry Ndikumwenayo will face his club teammate and training partner Rodrigue Kwizera. Kwizera won the race last year and also won the Valencia half marathon on Sunday in 58:03, moving into the top 10 of the all-time world rankings.

Both athletes are aiming for a third triumph in Seville. Thierry Ndikumwenayo won in 2022 and 2024, while Rodrigue Kwizera was fastest in 2021 and 2025.

The men’s battle, however, will not be just a duel between the two training partners. Among the main contenders are Olympic 10,000m silver medalist Berihu Aregawi of Ethiopia, who is also a three-time world cross country runner-up, and Kenyan Frankline Kibet, the reigning world under-20 cross country champion.

In the women’s event, world 5km road champion Likina Amebaw will be looking to carry her excellent form onto the cross-country course. The Spanish-based Ethiopian will be competing in a very strong field, including Spain’s María Forero. Forero finished her youth career with the U23 title at the 2025 European Championships, three years after winning gold in the U20 category.