Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang_(Photo Cross Internacional de Soria)
Kenya’s Mathew Kipsang and Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw claimed victory at the Cross Internacional de Soria cross country held in the Spanish city of Soria in contrasting styles.
Amebaw dominated the women’s race, while world 5000m finalist Kipsang denied pre-race favourite Rodrigue Kwizera a fourth Soria victory after a dramatic final sprint.
The women’s 8km began at a crawl: the opening 2km lap took 7:20 with Italy’s Valentina Gemetto, Kenya’s Sheila Jebet and Amebaw sharing the lead. Spain’s Idaira Prieto briefly pushed to the front, but the pace barely lifted, the second lap clocking 7:11. About 200m into the third circuit, Amebaw finally injected real purpose, and only the 20-year-old Jebet could respond. A few seconds back ran Kenya’s Noshin Kimuge, followed by Gemetto, Prieto and Spain’s María Ureña.
Amebaw’s surge produced a 6:20 third loop, though Jebet held firm until about a mile from home, when the young Kenyan finally began to fade. Amebaw pressed on alone, covering the final lap in 6:14 and finishing unchallenged in 27:25, 30 seconds clear of Jebet.
Behind them, Gemetto and Prieto caught Kimuge before the bell. The Italian then broke away with little more than a kilometre left, and Prieto soon distanced Kimuge to claim fourth.
“Soria is my favourite cross-country race, so I’m very pleased to take my second victory here,” said Amebaw. “Itálica was very tough and recovery hasn’t been easy, so I started conservatively. When I kicked, I was surprised Jebet stayed with me so long, but fortunately she couldn’t follow on the last lap. The circuit is very similar to where I train, so I feel comfortable here.”
The men’s 8km unfolded very differently. Kwizera set a brisk early pace, leading through the first 2km lap in 5:47 ahead of Spain’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo and Ilias Fifa, plus Kenyans Kipsang, Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto, Naibei Kiplimo Mayebei and Edwin Kiplangat Bett.
Midway through the second lap, world U20 cross-country bronze medallist Kipruto surged to the front, with Kwizera on his shoulder. The 5:52 lap trimmed the lead pack to Kipruto, Kwizera, Kipsang and Ndikumwenayo. The third lap, in 5:46, saw the four strung out in single file behind the still-leading Kipruto.
Inside the final 500m, three-time Soria champion Kwizera kicked hard. Kipruto and Ndikumwenayo lost ground, but Kipsang refused to budge. Kwizera still led with 200m remaining, yet Kipsang — despite slipping slightly on the downhill before the home straight — unleashed the superior track speed that carried him to a 7:33.23 PB for 3000m earlier this year. He swept past in the final metres to win by a single second, 23:10 to 23:11. Kipruto held off Ndikumwenayo for third.
“I’m doubly happy,” said Kipsang. “It’s my birthday and I’ve won. I was third here last year, but my victory in Cardiff last weekend gave me confidence. I didn’t want to set the pace; I saved everything for the finish and it paid off.”
Leading results
Women (8km)
1 Likina Amebaw (ETH) 27:25
2 Sheila Jebet (KEN) 27:55
3 Valentina Gemetto (ITA) 28:11
4 Idaira Prieto (KEN) 28:19
5 Noshin Mandoi Kimuge (KEN) 28:33
6 María Ureña (ESP) 28:54
Men (8km)
1 Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang (KEN) 23:10
2 Rodrigue Kwizera (BDI) 23:11
3 Matthew Kipkpoech Kipruto (KEN) 23:13
4 Thierry Ndikumwenayo (ESP) 23:13
5 Naibei Kiplimo Mayebei (KEN) 23:45
6 Ilias Fifa (ESP) 23:47
