Yomi Omogbeja (16/01/2005)

Ethiopia's Merima Denboba was soundly beaten by a strong field at the '23rd Cross Internacional de Itálica' in Santiponce, Seville - the fifth of the current 2004/2005 series of IAAF cross country permit races.

The two-time race winner (2003 and 2004) ended all hope of retaining her title back in seventh place, in a race won by fellow Ethiopian Werknesh Kidane in 28:43.

A late addition to the women's line-up, Kidane surged to a convincing victory over Kenya's Alice Timbilil (28:51). Merima Hashim of Ethiopia was third in 29:01.

A completely exhausted Denboba hobbled home in 29:38, behind Kenya's Edith Masai (29:14) and the Portuguese duo of Analia Rosa (29:22) and Inés Monteiro ( 29:28).

Kidane, 23, who won World Cross Country Championship gold medal in the long race in 2003 and silver medal in the short race in 2002 and 2003, declared her intention to compete only the long race at St-Galmier, France in March.

"I'm really happy because this is my third win in a row on Spanish soil after my victories in Soria and Llodio," she said.

"This year, I only plan to contest the long race at the Worlds."

Zewde glory

Ethiopia's Maregu Tarefe Zewde, who is the reigning World Cross Country bronze medallist in the short race, won the men's race in 31:22.

In the absence of the defending champion Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele, who is still mourning recent loss of his fiancee, Zewde overwhelmed a strong field which included Ethiopia's Abebe Dinkesa, Tanzania's Fabiano Joseph and Kenyan duo of Richard Limo and Eliud Kirui.

Abebe Dinkesa was second in 31:28 with Richard Limo third in 31:32.