Previewing the Senior races at Great Edinburgh

By Chris Lotsbom for Dyestat, @ChrisLotsbom

National pride and coveted titles are up for grabs heading into Saturday's Great Edinburgh XCountry International Challenge in Scotland. In advance of the Senior Races, we've broken down what to look for within each event. To watch the Great Edinburgh XCountry International Challenge live on USATF.TV+PLUS, be sure to check out the Live Webcast page 

SENIOR WOMEN'S 6K

FAVORITES: Although individual champion Kate Avery does not return to defend her title, the rest of the top six from 2016 will toe the line again at Holyrood Park. Ireland's Fionnuala McCormack (Team Europe), Britain's Gemma Steel, Romania's Ancuta Bobocel (Team Europe), Britain's Charlotte Arter and America's Amy Van Alstine have experience on the treacherous course that could come in handy, having finished second through sixth 12 months ago.

Steel and McCormack have proven their prowess in cross country over the years, but look to be challenged by a strong international field. Reigning European champion Yasmin Can of Turkey and countrywoman Meryem Akdag (silver at 2016 European Championships) could play spoilers, joining McCormack on a compelling Team Europe.

The red, white and blue will be led by Van Alstine and Olympian Marielle Hall. Sarah Pagano, runner-up at the USA Club Championships and fresh off a win at the NYRR Midnight Run, is riding plenty of momentum and looks to improve upon her 19th-place showing a year ago.

PICK FOR GOLD: McCormack. It's hard to pick against the Irish star simply because of her track record, even with the might of Turkey vying for the win. McCormack won in 2012 and 2013, then finished second the past three years, and wants to return to the top spot of the podium. 

KEEP AN EYE ON: American Allie Buchalski. Still a collegian with eligibility remaining at Furman, Buchalski placed fourth at the USA Club Championships last month. NCAA runners have done well here before, including Avery's win last year. Buchalski was seventh at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Louisville. Although she might not be in the top five or top 10, Buchalski could take down some big names if she has a good race.

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SENIOR MEN'S 8K

FAVORITES: Of course the big name in the field is quadruple Olympic gold medalist Mo Farah. One would be a fool to ignore Farah, but his cross country resume hasn't been as dominant as the track. Case in point, American Garrett Heath defeated Farah a year ago in a thrilling sprint finish. Both will return.

But Team Europe looks to have the edge overall with the 2016 European Championships gold medalist (Aras Kaya) and silver medalist (Polat Kemboi Arikan) on their side. The Turkish standouts are forces both on the trails and track, and have a long history of finishing on the podium at major international races.

In addition to Heath, the Americans will send Olympians Leonard Korir and Hillary Bor to the line, joined by Sam Chelanga, Stanley Kebenei, Morgan Pearson, Thomas Curtain, Martin Hehir and Daniel Winn. If Team USA runs as a pack and sticks together, they could fend off the might of Europe and Britain. Don't forget that Chelanga won a pair of NCAA cross country titles back at Liberty and has a history of rising to the occasion at big meets.

Besides Farah, last year's European Championships bronze medalist in Callum Hawkins will compete. He was top 10 in the Olympic Marathon and is coming off a career year, not to mention he placed fourth at Great Edinburgh in 2016. Names familiar to NCAA cross country fans in Alex George (Arkansas) and Ben Connor (Providence) will also sport the colors of Great Britain.

PICK FOR GOLD: This one's impossible to call. Yes, Farah has the most accolades on the track, but Heath has a streak of three consecutive wins at Great Edinburgh on his side. Heath does thrive in inclement conditions – the forecast calls for rain Saturday – so I'd give the Minnesota native the nod. But beware of Kaya and Arikan from Turkey.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Hehir. Ever since graduating from Syracuse University – where he helped the Orange earn an NCAA cross country national team title – Hehir has found his groove both on the trails and on the roads. Training with HOKA ONE ONE Team Northern Arizona Elite, Hehir has got a full squad of experienced runners around him pushing each day at altitude in Flagstaff. Sixth at the USA Club Championships, look for Hehir to have another big race across the pond.

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The co-ed international relay is intriguing, although I'm just going to focus on Team Great Britain and Team USA. Great Britain has James Bowness, Charlene Thomas, James West and the incredible Laura Muir. Team USA counters with Kyle Merber, Lianne Farber, Will Leer and Heather Kampf.

Although it'll be close, Great Britain gains an edge because of Muir. A native of Milnathort, Scotland – just about an hour drive from Edinburgh – Muir will certainly have a hometown edge. She's also coming off an incredible indoor season debut: the 2016 Diamond League champion at 1,500 meters ran a blistering 14:49.12 indoor 5,000 national record, which she set Wednesday. Muir ran a majority of the race alone, too.

If it does come down to a kick, Muir's got the wheels to get the job done.