Double world silver medalist Daniel Simiu Ebenyo and Burundi’s Francine Niyomkunzi took home the honor with campaccio. World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold Medal Meeting in San Giorgio su Legnano on Saturday (6th).
On the first lap, Ebenyo was part of a 10-man front pack alongside Uganda’s Oscar Chelimo, Burundi’s Celestine Ndikumana, Yves Nimbona, Edide Ntakaturimana and several other Italian contenders.
Chelimo tried to attack first, kicking the front over the hilly part of the course on the second lap, but Ebegno soon closed the gap. The leading two extended their lead over the rest on the third lap, with Nimbona following in third place, a few meters behind, ahead of his compatriot Ntakaturimana.
Ebenyo and Chelimo continued to run side by side until the fifth and final lap. The world 10,000m and half marathon silver medalist picked up the pace and widened the gap to Chelimo in the final laps.
The Kenyan finished strong, crossing the line in 29 minutes and 16 seconds, six seconds ahead of Chelimo.
“I’m happy to win this race on such a difficult course,” said Ebegno, who was competing in his first cross-country race in Europe. “I knew I was in good shape after setting a 25km world best in Kolkata. I really enjoyed this race. There were crowds cheering me on along the course, so I hope to be here again next year. I hope you come back.”
Ebenyo aims to qualify for the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade on March 30, but first he must secure a spot on the Kenyan team. After that, he aims to run a fast half marathon time in April.
Like the men’s contest, the women’s race soon became a two-person race. Burundi’s Francine Niyomkunzi and Italy’s European cross-country silver medalist Nadia Batocculetti completed the first two kilometers in 6 minutes 54 seconds as part of a leading group of four women.
On the second lap, Batokuretti took the lead, closely followed by Niyomkuntsi, completing the 4km in 13 minutes 25 seconds, with a nine second lead over Giovanna Selva. With one kilometer to go, Niyomkuntsi picked up the pace and built a solid lead over Batokuretti.
The Burundian won in 19 minutes and 42 seconds, beating Batokuretti by four seconds. Selva took third place with a time of 20 minutes and 31 seconds.
Niyomkunzi, who lives and trains in Italy for most of the year, placed 9th in the 5km at the World Road Running Championships in Riga and has successfully started the 2023 season with PBs in the 3000m, 5000m and 10,000m. has been updated.
“I didn’t think we could win,” Niyomkunji said. “I’m very emotional.”
Diego Sanpaolo World Athletics Representative
Key results
woman
1 Francine Niyomkunji (BDI) 19:42
2 Nadia Batocculetti (ITA) 19:46
3 Giovanna Selva (ITA) 20:31
4 Anna Vindicus Toss (HUN) 20:50
5 Rebecca Ronedo (Italy) 21:00
6 Michela Cesaro (ITA) 21:27
7 Sara Nestra (ITA) 21:30
8 Neide Diaz (POR) 21:57
9 Adele Roatta (ITA) 22:23
male
1 Daniel Ebenyo (Ken) 29:16
2 Oscar Chelimo (UGA) 29:22
3 Eve Nimbona (BDI) 29:44
4 Edide Ntakaturimana (BDI) 29:53
5 Celestine Ndikumana (BDI) 29:54
6 Guillaume Grimard (Belgium) 30:13
7 Mohamed Zinawi (TUN) 30:13
8 Ilias Aouani (ITA) 30:31
9 Pasquale Selvarolo (ITA) 30:39
10 Luca Alfieri (ITA) 30:44
10 Dahri Love (Tunisia) 22:29
1 Comment
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