Nadia Battocletti wins Campaccio (© Organisers)
World and Olympic medallist Nadia Battocletti retained her Campaccio title while Burundi’s Egide Ntakarutimana claimed a commanding victory at the World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meeting on Sunday (25).
Light rain and heavy mud in San Giorgio su Legnano created testing conditions on one of the sport’s most iconic cross-country courses.
The women’s 6km race unfolded over three laps, with a compact pack settling into a measured tempo on the opening circuit. Battocletti, 2024 Campaccio winner Francine Niyomukunzi, Elvanie Nimbona and Giulia Zanne and were prominent early as the field assessed the slippery conditions.
The race began to take shape on the second lap when Battocletti made a decisive surge, while Niyomukunzi, Nimbona and Britain’s Emily Collinge struggled to respond. A slip in one of the course’s most technical muddy sections briefly cost the Italian a few seconds, but she quickly regained control and continued to press on.
Battocletti powered away on the final lap to secure a convincing victory in 21:10. Niyomukunzi finished second in 21:32, edging out Burundian compatriot Nimbona (21:33). Collinge and Italy’s Lucia Arnoldo rounded out the top five.
“There was so much mud in some corners, you almost sank into it – I even crashed on the second lap,” said Battocletti. “We started quite slowly, but in the technical sections I realised it was difficult to stay together, so I decided to push on for safety. Winning Campaccio for the second year in a row is really special. It’s a great way to start my 2026 season.”
The men’s 10km contest, contested over five laps, remained tightly packed through the early stages before the decisive moves came in the closing kilometres. Burundi’s Celestin Ndikumana and Egide Ntakarutimana, along with Uganda’s Dolphine Chelimo, formed a leading trio from the fourth lap. Much to the delight of the home crowd, Italy’s Luca Alfieri maintained contact with the leaders for much of the race.
At the start of the final lap, Ndikumana and Ntakarutimana began to assert themselves, gradually dropping Chelimo. Midway through the lap, Ntakarutimana launched a powerful solo attack and continued to increase his advantage, crossing the line first in 30:38.
Chelimo recovered strongly in the closing stages to claim second in 30:45, narrowly ahead of 2025 runner-up Ndikumana, who finished third in the same time. Alfieri rallied late to finish sixth.
“I’m very happy with how I ran today,” said Ntakarutimana, who was 10th here last year and fourth in 2024. “After some ups and downs, I’ve regained confidence and form thanks to my training group. I’ll continue with the cross-country season and try to keep representing my club at my best.”
Leading results
Women (6km)
1 Nadia Battocletti (ITA) 21:10
2 Francine Niyomukunzi (BDI) 21:32
3 Elvanie Nimbona (BDI) 21:33
4 Emily Collinge (GBR) 21:34
5 Lucia Arnoldo (ITA) 21:52
6 Chiara Munaretto (ITA) 22:05
Men (10km)
1 Egide Ntakarutimana (BDI) 30:38
2 Dolphine Chelimo (UGA) 30:45
3 Celestin Ndikumana (BDI) 30:45
4 Mohamed Amin Jhinaoui (TUN) 31:00
5 Abrham Sime (ETH) 31:04
6 Luca Alfieri (ITA) 31:06
