Juan Muguerza Cross-Country

Last updated
Juan Muguerza Cross-Country
DateJanuary
Location Elgoibar, Gipuzkoa
Event type Cross country
Distance10.7 km for men
7.621 km for women
Established1943
Official site Cross Juan Muguerza
Participants104 finishers (2022)
113 (2020)

The Juan Muguerza Cross-Country, also known as the Elgoibar Cross-Country, is an annual cross country running competition which takes place each January in Elgoibar, the Basque Country, Spain. It is named as a memorial of local runner Juan Muguerza, a multiple national champion who was killed in 1937 during the bombing of Mungia in the Spanish Civil War. [1]

Contents

The competition was first held in 1943 and was a men-only contest, principally between national-level runners. This changed at the 20th anniversary of the race in 1963, when the competition became an international one. Ethiopian runner Mamo Wolde was the first foreign winner and he went on to score three more victories that decade. [2] [3] His performances brought exposure for African runners in Spain and his influence was recognised with the erection of a memorial in his memory in 2003. [4] Having been held every year since 1943, with the exception of cancellations in 1950 and 1981, the Cross Juan Muguerza is one of the longest-running competitions of its type in Spain. [5]

The men's race has typically been contested over distances varying from 9 km to 11 km, with the current race being 10.8 km. A women's short course race was trialled in the late 1960s and became a permanent fixture of the programme in 1972. Initially a two kilometre course, the distance was gradually increased over the lifespan of the competition, resulting in the current distance of 6.6 km. [2] A men's junior race was held in addition to the main senior race in 1963. [6] The current race programme comprises the two senior races and six different age categories for younger runners. [7]

The elite events attract the highest level of international runners, with past winners including IAAF World Cross Country Championships gold medallists Kenenisa Bekele, Paul Tergat, John Ngugi, Derartu Tulu and Edith Masai. [8] The top runners of Spain and Portugal regularly compete at the competition. Among them, world medallists Mariano Haro and Carmen Valero won in Elgoibar in the 1970s, while prominent Portuguese athletes Paulo Guerra and Fernanda Ribeiro took the top honours in the 1990s. [2]

Past senior race winners

National era

EditionYearWinner
1st1943Flag of Spain.svg Prudencio Ayerra (ESP)
2nd1944Flag of Spain.svg Joaquín Escudero (ESP)
3rd1945Flag of Spain.svg José M Garín (ESP)
4th1946Flag of Spain.svg Joaquín Escudero (ESP)
5th1947Flag of Spain.svg Simón Aldazábal (ESP)
6th1948Flag of Spain.svg Simón Aldazábal (ESP)
7th1949Flag of Spain.svg Simón Aldazábal (ESP)
1950Not held
8th1951Flag of Spain.svg Francisco Irízar (ESP)
9th1952Flag of Spain.svg Francisco Irízar (ESP)
10th1953Flag of Spain.svg Lucas Larraza (ESP)
11th1954Flag of Spain.svg Francisco Irízar (ESP)
12th1955Flag of Spain.svg Lucas Larraza (ESP)
13th1956Flag of Spain.svg Lucas Larraza (ESP)
14th1957Flag of Spain.svg Lucas Larraza (ESP)
15th1958Flag of Spain.svg Benito Aldai (ESP)
16th1959Flag of Spain.svg Joaquín Escudero (ESP)
17th1960Flag of Spain.svg Benito Aldai (ESP)
18th1961Flag of Spain.svg Fernando Aguilar (ESP)
19th1962Flag of Spain.svg José A Azpiroz (ESP)

International era

1963 edition. Mamo Wolde wears number 10. Carrera de cross internacional de Elgoibar (6 de 10) - Fondo Marin-Kutxa Fototeka.jpg
1963 edition. Mamo Wolde wears number 10.
Olympic champion Fernanda Ribeiro took the top honours in 1995. Fernanda Ribeiro2.jpg
Olympic champion Fernanda Ribeiro took the top honours in 1995.
Five-time world champion Paul Tergat was the 1999 winner. World Food Program 2.jpg
Five-time world champion Paul Tergat was the 1999 winner.
(L-R) Tariku Bekele, Abraham Chebii and Kenenisa Bekele have all won the men's race. Kenenisa Bekele running.jpg
(L–R) Tariku Bekele, Abraham Chebii and Kenenisa Bekele have all won the men's race.
Elvan Abeylegesse was the 2004 women's winner. Elvan Abeylegesse 2010 European Team Championships.jpg
Elvan Abeylegesse was the 2004 women's winner.
EditionYearMen's winnerTime (m:s)Women's winnerTime (m:s)
20th1963Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Mamo Wolde  (ETH)Not held
21st1964Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Mamo Wolde  (ETH)
22nd1965Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Melvyn Batty  (GBR)
23rd1966Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Roy Fowler  (GBR)
24th1967Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Mamo Wolde  (ETH)Flag of Spain.svg  Coro Fuentes  (ESP)
25th1968Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Mamo Wolde  (ETH)Flag of Spain.svg  Belén Azpeitia  (ESP)
26th1969Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Lachie Stewart  (GBR)Not held
27th1970Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Lachie Stewart  (GBR)
28th1971Flag of Spain.svg  Mariano Haro  (ESP)
29th1972Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Lachie Stewart  (GBR)Flag of Spain.svg  Belén Azpeitia  (ESP)
30th1973Flag of Spain.svg  Mariano Haro  (ESP)30:40Flag of Spain.svg  Belén Azpeitia  (ESP)
31st1974Flag of Finland.svg  Jouko Kuha  (FIN)Flag of Spain.svg  Belén Azpeitia  (ESP)
32nd1975Flag of Spain.svg  Fernando Cerrada  (ESP)Flag of Spain.svg  Belén Azpeitia  (ESP)
33rd1976Flag of Spain.svg  Mariano Haro  (ESP)26:27Flag of Spain.svg  Belén Azpeitia  (ESP)
34th1977Flag of Spain.svg  Mariano Haro  (ESP)32:02Flag of Spain.svg  Montserrat Abelló  (ESP)
35th1978Flag of Spain.svg  Mariano Haro  (ESP)30:24Flag of Spain.svg  Carmen Valero  (ESP)
36th1979Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Mike McLeod  (GBR)30:12Flag of Spain.svg  Pilar Fernández  (ESP)
37th1980Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  John Wild  (GBR)Flag of Algeria.svg  Leila Boudina  (ALG)
1981Cancelled
39th1982Flag of Portugal.svg  Carlos Lopes  (POR)Flag of Spain.svg  Amelia Lorza  (ESP)
40th1983Flag of Spain.svg  Antonio Prieto  (ESP)Flag of Spain.svg  Amelia Lorza  (ESP)
41st1984Flag of Spain.svg  Jorge García  (ESP)Flag of Spain.svg  Asunción Antolín  (ESP)
42nd1985Flag of Portugal.svg  Ezequiel Canário  (POR)Flag of Spain.svg  Amelia Lorza  (ESP)
43rd1986Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Steve Jones  (GBR)Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Jane Shields  (GBR)
44th1987Flag of Kenya.svg  Paul Kipkoech  (KEN)29:37Flag of Spain.svg  Ana Isabel Alonso  (ESP)
45th1988Flag of Kenya.svg  John Ngugi  (KEN)29:16Flag of Spain.svg  Ana Isabel Alonso  (ESP)
46th1989Flag of Spain.svg  Antonio Serrano  (ESP)Flag of Spain.svg  Ana Isabel Alonso  (ESP)
47th1990Flag of Kenya.svg  Kipyego Kororia  (KEN)30:32Flag of Rwanda.svg  Marcianne Mukamurenzi  (RWA)
48th1991Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Eamonn Martin  (GBR)29:33Flag of Kenya.svg  Susan Sirma  (KEN)13:43
49th1992Flag of Kenya.svg  Wilson Omwoyo  (KEN)33:44Flag of Kenya.svg  Hellen Kimaiyo  (KEN)17:12
50th1993Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Fita Bayisa  (ETH)29:38Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Luchia Yishak  (ETH)17:01
51st1994Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Addis Abebe  (ETH)34:30Flag of Kenya.svg  Hellen Kimaiyo  (KEN)19:01
52nd1995Flag of Morocco.svg  Brahim Lahlafi  (MAR)34:38Flag of Portugal.svg  Fernanda Ribeiro  (POR)19:28
53rd1996Flag of Portugal.svg  Paulo Guerra  (POR)31:04Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Derartu Tulu  (ETH)17:24
54th1997Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Jon Brown  (GBR)32:09Flag of Spain.svg  Julia Vaquero  (ESP)17:37
55th1998Flag of Kenya.svg  Paul Koech  (KEN)32:16Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Kutre Dulecha  (ETH)18:05
56th1999Flag of Kenya.svg  Paul Tergat  (KEN)31:23Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Genet Gebregiorgis  (ETH)17:34
57th2000Flag of Kenya.svg  Sammy Kipketer  (KEN)30:05Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Yimenashu Taye  (ETH)17:21
58th2001Flag of Kenya.svg  Abraham Chebii  (KEN)31:56Flag of Kenya.svg  Sally Barsosio  (KEN)17:47
59th2002Flag of Kenya.svg  Abraham Chebii  (KEN)31:53Flag of Kenya.svg  Anne Jelagat  (KEN)22:05
60th2003Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Kenenisa Bekele  (ETH)30:58Flag of Kenya.svg  Edith Masai  (KEN)20:45
61st2004Flag of Kenya.svg  Abraham Chebii  (KEN)30:14Flag of Turkey.svg  Elvan Abeylegesse  (TUR)20:39
62nd2005Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Tariku Bekele  (ETH)32:02Flag of Kenya.svg  Alice Timbilil  (KEN)22:20
63rd2006Flag of Kenya.svg  Charles Kamathi  (KEN)32:23Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Workitu Ayanu  (ETH)22:19
64th2007Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Sileshi Sihine  (ETH)31:08Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Mestawet Tufa  (ETH)20:37
65th2008Flag of Kenya.svg  Leonard Komon  (KEN)31:54Flag of Kenya.svg  Priscah Cherono  (KEN)21:19
66th2009Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ayele Abshero  (ETH)31:18Flag of Kenya.svg  Florence Kiplagat  (KEN)21:39
67th2010Flag of Kenya.svg  Leonard Komon  (KEN)32:44Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Frehiwat Goshu  (ETH)22:37
68th2011Flag of Kenya.svg  Leonard Komon  (KEN)32:05Flag of Portugal.svg  Sara Moreira  (POR)22:08
69th2012Flag of Kenya.svg  Paul Tanui  (KEN)32:25Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Wude Ayalew  (ETH)22:29
70th2013Flag of Kenya.svg  Conseslus Kipruto  (KEN)33:15Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Gelete Burka  (ETH)22:53
71st2014Flag of Uganda.svg  Timothy Toroitich  (UGA)32:04Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Hiwot Ayalew  (ETH)21:59
72nd2015Flag of Eritrea.svg  Teklemariam Medhin  (ERI)33:02Flag of Bahrain.svg  Mimi Belete  (BHR)22:09
73rd2016Flag of Bahrain.svg  Aweke Ayalew  (BHR)32:05Flag of Kenya.svg  Irene Cheptai  (KEN)24:49
74th2017Flag of Uganda.svg  Joshua Cheptegei  (UGA)31:50Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Senbere Teferi  (ETH)25:10
75th2018Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Selemon Barega  (ETH)33:54Flag of Bahrain.svg  Ruth Jebet  (BHR)27:15
76th2019Flag of Kenya.svg  Rhonex Kipruto  (KEN)32:05Flag of Kenya.svg  Hellen Obiri  (KEN)24:38
77th2020Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Tadese Worku  (ETH)31:39Flag of Kenya.svg  Hellen Obiri  (KEN)25:10
78th2022Flag of Kenya.svg  Nicholas Kimeli  (KEN)33:47Flag of Kenya.svg  Edinah Jebitok  (KEN)26:03
79th [9] 2023Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Selemon Barega  (ETH)33:14Flag of Eritrea.svg  Rahel Daniel  (ERI)25:43
80th [10] 2024Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Berihu Aregawi  (ETH)30:34Flag of Kenya.svg  Beatrice Chebet  (KEN)26:08

Winners by country

CountryMen's raceWomen's raceTotal
Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 181331
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 91726
Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 131225
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 718
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 325
Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain 123
Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda 202
Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria 011
Flag of Eritrea.svg  Eritrea 112
Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 101
Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 101
Flag of Rwanda.svg  Rwanda 011
Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 011

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References

  1. 1943 nace el Cross Memorial Juan Muguerza. Mintxeta (in Spanish). Retrieved on 2011-03-11.
  2. 1 2 3 Cross Memorial Juan Muguerza. Association of Road Racing Statisticians (2011-01-21). Retrieved on 2011-03-11.
  3. Valiente, Emeterio (2006-01-22). Kamathi and Ayanu unstoppable in Elgoibar. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-03-11.
  4. Mamo Wolde honoured in Spain. IAAF (2003-09-16). Retrieved on 2011-03-11.
  5. Longest Running Crosscountry Races. Association of Road Racing Statisticians (2011-03-10). Retrieved on 2011-03-11.
  6. ELGOIBAR, 1.963ko urtarrilaren 20an - 20 de enero de 1.963. Mintxeta (in Spanish). Retrieved on 2011-03-11.
  7. LXVIII Cross Internacional Juan Muguerza de Elgoibar. Real Federación Española de Atletismo (2011). Retrieved on 2011-03-11.
  8. Valiente, Emeterio (2003-01-13). Bekele in a class of his own again. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-03-11.
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List of winners