Likina Amebaw secured a spectacular victory at the 72º Cross Internacional Zornotza

Likina Amebaw secured a spectacular historic victory at the 72º Cross Internacional Zornotza on October 18, 2026, delivering a masterclass in distance running on the famous mud of Amorebieta-Etxano. The Gold-level event, a cornerstone of the prestigious World Athletics Cross Country Tour, gathered a world-class field of long-distance specialists, but none could match the supreme tactical acumen and raw power of the pre-race favorite.

The headlines belonging to the women’s 8.7km race were written by Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw. Having previously triumphed at Jauregibarria in 2023 and 2025, Amebaw entered the 2026 competition with the weighty status of global champion. The 28-year-old recently clinched the 5000m title at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest and backed it up six days later by taking the 5km crown at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen. In her first competitive outing since earning her world champion titles, the Spain-based star didn’t disappoint.

Stopping the clock at a brilliant 28:43 minutes, Amebaw cruised across the finish line with a dominant 31-second margin of victory. Her performance marks her third title in Amorebieta-Etxano, forever cementing her name in the history of one of Europe’s most traditional cross-country meets. After the race, a delighted Amebaw expressed her deep affection for the venue, stating that her deep familiarity with the tactical nuances of the Basque circuit allowed her to perfectly execute her winning strategy.

The multi-lap race began on a beautifully sunny and mild day, setting the stage for aggressive running right from the starter’s gun. The early rhythm was dictated by Eritrea’s Rahel Daniel, the 2022 world 10,000m fifth-place finisher. Daniel attempted to stamp her authority on the race early on, but she was closely shadowed by a high-caliber pack consisting of Burundi’s Francine Niyomukunzi, the Kenyan duo of Dorcus Chepkwemoi and Mirriam Cherop, and a patient Amebaw.

Amebaw strategically chose to bide her time within the security of the leading pack during the first half of the contest, letting her rivals absorb the stress of front-running. As the loops advanced, the true cross-country attributes of the course began to test the field’s endurance.

The structural integrity of the front group finally fractured when Kenya’s Mirriam Cherop made a definitive move, trying to break away from Niyomukunzi. While Cherop’s acceleration successfully dropped Dorcus Chepkwemoi, it triggered the endgame from Amebaw. Unleashing the devastating change of gear that has become her trademark on both the track and the road, the Ethiopian easily pulled clear during the closing circuit, executing a blistering final lap of 6:35 to turn the final stretch into a victory lap.

Behind the flying leader, the battle for the remaining podium steps intensified. Over the final 400 meters, Francine Niyomukunzi dug deep to break Cherop. Niyomukunzi, the defending champion from the 2024 edition, crossed the line in 29:14 minutes to claim an excellent second place. She finished just five seconds ahead of world mile bronze medalist Mirriam Cherop, who locked down third place in 29:19 minutes to complete an elite African podium sweep.

Just outside the podium positions, Dorcus Chepkwemoi put forth a highly commendable effort. Though she was unable to match the localized surges of the top three during the tactical breakdowns of the final laps, she ran a remarkably steady isolated race, stopping the clock at exactly 30:00 minutes to take fourth place.

Eritrea’s early pacesetter, Rahel Daniel, paid somewhat for her aggressive front-running tactics in the opening kilometers. As the terrain took its toll, she dropped back from the front group but fought valiantly to hold off the chasing continental pack. Daniel crossed the line in 31:23 minutes, ensuring a top-5 finish on a highly competitive day.

The standout European performance of the day came from local favorite Carla Arce. Showing excellent tactical maturity on home soil, the Spanish athlete ran a smart, progressive race through the muddy sections. Arce crossed the line in 31:28 minutes to secure a fantastic sixth place. Her performance was highly celebrated by the Basque crowds, as she managed to stay within visual contact of some of the world’s most decorated global distance runners.

The 72nd edition of the Zornotza International Cross Country Race once again proved why it remains a prestigious event on the international cross-country calendar. With Likina Amebaw re-establishing her dominance in stunning fashion, the road ahead in the World Athletics Cross Country Tour promises to be an thrilling journey as the winter season gets into full swing