Mathew Kipsang (centre) after winning in Soria (© Organisers)
Kenya’s Mathew Kipsang and Uganda’s Charity Cherop claimed victories at the Cross Internacional de Soria – the fifth Gold-level meeting of this season’s World Athletics Cross Country Tour – held in the Spanish city of Soria on a rainy and windy Sunday (15).
Cherop, the world U20 5000m champion, dominated the women’s race, while world 5000m finalist Kipsang prevailed over Rodrigue Kwizera after a dramatic final sprint, repeating the outcome of last year’s race.
Kwizera had been aiming for a fourth Soria victory, which would have taken him clear of Timothy Toroitich as the most successful athlete in the history of the event.
The men’s race was initially led by Kenya’s Felix Kiptarus Korir, the 2022 world U20 3000m silver medallist, alongside Spain’s Pablo Sanchez and Ethiopia’s Wegene Adisu, while the main favourites sat about 40 metres behind.
The leading trio completed the first 2km lap of the undulating circuit in 6:05, with Kwizera and Kipsang heading the chasing group five seconds back.
They were reeled in after about 2600m and shortly afterwards Charles Kiboino, runner-up in Seville last weekend, moved to the front and opened a small gap on Kwizera, Kipsang, Uganda’s Dismas Yeko and Ethiopian duo Fasika Ayele and Damitew Kebede.
Following a 6:01 lap, Kwizera caught Kiboino midway through the penultimate circuit, while Kebede began to lose contact with the leaders.
A five-man group of Yeko, Kiboino, Kwizera, Kipsang and Ayele reached the bell after a brisk 5:53 lap, with Yeko setting the pace in increasingly difficult conditions.
The closing 600 metres proved decisive. Kwizera moved to the front for the first time, but Kipsang stayed close and passed him with about 200 metres remaining.
Kipsang entered the short home straight with only a small advantage and raised his arms in celebration just before the line, almost allowing Kwizera to draw level. Kipsang nevertheless held on, with both athletes credited with 23:49 after a final lap of 5:46.
Ayele completed the podium two seconds behind in 23:51, with Kiboino fourth in 23:54 and Yeko fifth in 24:02.
“I’m so happy to win again in Soria, especially as tomorrow I celebrate my birthday,” said Kipsang. “I have trained quite hard in Kenya for my European cross-country races and I’m looking forward to competing in Atapuerca next weekend.”
The women’s 8km race began at a more measured pace, with 10 athletes still together after an opening 2km lap of 7:10.
Cherop then began to increase the pace on the second lap and only Ethiopia’s Lemlet Nibret and Kenyan pair Cynthia Chepkurui and Mirriam Cherop were able to stay with her. Portugal’s Mariana Machado led the chasing group further back.
The second circuit was covered in a much quicker 6:35, with Charity Cherop continuing to lead from Nibret and the two Kenyans.
The decisive move came with about 16 minutes on the clock. Cherop increased the pace again and quickly broke clear of Chepkurui and Mirriam Cherop, while Nibret dropped back into a clear fourth.
Cherop covered the penultimate lap in 6:19 to build a 12-second advantage over Chepkurui and Mirriam Cherop.
Behind them, Machado and fellow Portuguese athlete Salome Afonso, the European indoor 1500m silver medallist, were involved in a close battle with Spanish duo Idaira Prieto and Carla Gallardo to be the first European finisher. Gallardo lost contact shortly before the bell.
Cherop maintained her advantage throughout the final lap, which she covered in 6:24, and went on to win convincingly in 26:19.
Chepkurui managed to break away from Mirriam Cherop late in the race to take second in 26:33, six seconds ahead of her compatriot, who matched her third-place finish from last year.
Nibret finished fourth in 27:03, while Machado won the battle to be the leading European, placing fifth in 27:31 ahead of Prieto and Afonso.
“It was hard for me to adapt to the weather conditions, but I felt strong throughout,” said Cherop. “I decided to move away on the penultimate circuit to secure the win.”
Emeterio Valiente for World Athletics
Leading results
Women (8km)
1 Charity Cherop (UGA) 26:19
2 Cynthia Chepkurui (KEN) 26:33
3 Mirriam Cherop (KEN) 26:39
4 Lemlet Nibret (ETH) 27:03
5 Mariana Machado (POR) 27:31
6 Idaira Prieto (ESP) 27:40
7 Salome Afonso (POR) 27:43
8 Carla Gallardo (ESP) 28:08
Men (8km)
1 Mathew Kipsang (KEN) 23:49
2 Rodrigue Kwizera (ESP) 23:49
3 Fasika Ayele (ETH) 23:51
4 Charles Kiboino (KEN) 23:54
5 Dismas Yeko (UGA) 24:02
6 Damitew Kebede (ETH) 24:22
7 Felix Kiptarus Korir (KEN) 24:53
8 Wegene Adisu (ETH) 25:03
