The Romans traversed through the small Spanish city of Soria, located 230 kilometres north of the metropolis of Madrid. The 4th-century BC town with a population of fewer than 40,000 is a recreational hub where hiking and bouldering are popular, especially among culturally inclined tourists.

On Sunday, some faster athletes raced in the 31st running of the Cross Internacional de Soria race. Soria is the fourth installment in the World Athletics Cross Country Gold Tour.

The men’s race

Three-time Soria winner Rodrigue Kwizera led from the gun and continued through the first 2 km lap in 5:47 (2:54 +/- each km 23:10 finish). The daunting field of Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto, Naibei Kiplimo Mayebei, Thierry Ndikumwenayo, Ilias Fifa, Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto, and Edwin Kiplangat Bett chased Kwizera.

Twenty-year-old Kipruto passed Kwizera during the second lap. The fast early pace scattered the leaders, and before the third lap began, the leaders were reduced to Kipruto, Kipsang, Kwizera, and Ndikumwenayo. Ndikumwenayo is a former Burundian now running for Spain. They kept the pace up, heading toward a 23-minute finish.

With 550 metres to go, Kwizera jockeyed into position and positioned himself for the win; however, Kipsang had other ideas. In an exciting sprint finish, Kipsang dropped the pace hard to pass Burundian Kwizera and claimed victory by less than one second in 23:10. Kipruto secured third in 23:13, just ahead of Ndikumwenayo, who was credited with the same result.

It was a double celebratory day for Kipsang, who also turned 30 on the day.

The women’s race

Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw led from gun to tape. She won in a time of 27:25. Kenya’s Sheila Jebet finished second in 27:55, and Italy’s Valentina Gemetto took third, clocking 28:11.

Amebaw, Jebet, and Gemetto shared the lead through the first lap, passing the 2 km mark in a pedestrian 7:20 (3:40/km +/- 29:20 finish). Amebaw turned the screws during the third lap, but only Jebet managed to keep the race competitive. Following was Noshin Kimuge, three seconds back. A chase pack gathered to compete for third place in Gemetto and Spanish runners Ideira Prieto and Maria Ureña.

Amebaw continued to drop the pace, taking the third lap in 6:20 — a clear minute faster than the first lap. She pulled away, closing the final lap in 6:14. Jebet faded, and Amebaw finished all alone.

*Cover image credit: Mathew Kipsang wins in Soria (© Organizers)

Results

Men

  1. Matthew Kipchumba Kipsang (Kenya) – 23:10
  2. Rodrigue Kwizera (Burundi) – 23:11
  3. Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto (Kenya) – 23:13
  4. Thierry Ndikumwenayo (Spain) – 23:13
  5. Naibei Kiplimo Mayebei (Kenya) – 23:45
  6. Ilias Fifa Temsamani (Spain) – 23:47
  7. Edwin Kiplangat Bett (Kenya) – 23:48
  8. Kelvie Kiptoo Murkeu (Kenya) – 24:12
  9. Emile Hafashimana (Burundi) – 24:15
  10. Abderrahman El Kayami El Komiry (Spain) – 24:20
  11. George Kiplagat Kiptum (Kenya) – 24:21
  12. Ibrahim Buras (Norway) – 24:25
  13. Javier Guerra Polo (Spain) – 24:28
  14. Younes Kniya Touil (Spain) – 24:38
  15. Elie Sindayikengera (Burundi) – 24:39

Women

  1. Likina Amebaw (Ethiopia) – 27:25
  2. Sheila Jebet (Kenya) – 27:55
  3. Valentina Gemetto (Italy) – 28:11
  4. Idaira Prieto Suárez (Spain) – 28:19
  5. Noshim Mandoi Kimuge (Kenya) – 28:33
  6. María Ureña Rodenes (Spain) – 28:54
  7. Cristina Espejo (Spain) – 29:00
  8. Odile Nintije (Burundi) – 29:00
  9. Claudia Corral (Spain) – 29:05
  10. Marta Pérez Miguel (Spain) – 29:12
  11. Raquel de Francisco Fontiñán (Spain) – 29:19
  12. Soukaina El Kayami El Komiry (Spain) – 30:18
  13. Azucena Díaz Calvo (Spain) – 30:37
  14. Claudia Rodríguez Vela (Spain) – 30:44
  15. Marta Tomé Gallo (Spain) – 31:46

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