Report: Valencia 10k Ibercaja
www.athleticshour.com | Valencia 10k Ibercaja | World Athletics | Label Road Race | Spain | Cross Country |
Sunday, 8th January 2022, Valencia 10k Ibercaja, a World Athletics Label Road Race took place in Spain.Ā Report: Valencia 10k Ibercaja.
In the men category
The contenders for the win in the women’s race were obvious from the outset. Norah Jeruto and Gladys Chepkurui of Kenya, along with Norwegian Karoline Grovdal and Swedish runner Meraf Bahta, led the field from the start. The women’s pacemaker ran the first kilometer in 3:03 and the second in 3:05, and with the strong headwind, it was evident that a sub-30 minute performance in Valencia would be nearly impossible.
Meraf Bahta of Sweden attempted to break away from the lead pack towards the 5km mark, completing the halfway point in 15:09 seconds, just a few seconds ahead of Norah Jeruto. Gladys Chepkirui was in second place, a few seconds behind the leaders, followed by Norway’s European cross country champion Grovdal.
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Finally, in 30:35 seconds, Jeruto, a 3000m steeplechaser, won the windy Valencia 10k race. Grovdal’s strategy paid off in the last kilometer when she broke away from Chepkirui to finish second in 30:38 seconds, just 10 seconds ahead of the Kenyan. Meraf Bahta, meanwhile, had dropped to the fifth position in a new Swedish record time of 31:22 seconds. In 31:01 seconds, Anchinalu Dessie Genaneh finished fourth.
Leading results
- Norah Jeruto (KEN) – 30:35 seconds
- Karoline Grovdal (NOR) – 30:38 seconds
- Gladys Chepkurui (KEN) – 30:48 seconds
- Anchinalu Dessie Genaneh – 31:01 seconds
- Meraf Bahta (SWE) – 31:22Ā NR seconds
- Ftaw Zeray Bezabh (ETH) – 32:07 seconds
- Diana Chesang (KEN) – 32:24 seconds
- Meritxell Soler Delgado – 32:34 seconds
- Mahlet Mulugeta Alemu (ETH) – 32:45 seconds
- Maitane Melero Lacaisa (ESP) – 32:47 seconds
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In the men category
There was no pacemaker in the men’s race. In the early stages of the race, it was evident that Daniel Simiu Ebenyo and Boniface Kibiwott would combat for the victory in Valencia, as they created a large gap. In 13 minutes and 31 seconds, both Kenyans reached the halfway point. Ebenyo then took the lead and raced against the clock, finishing the 10 kilometers in 26:58 seconds, the 11th fastest time in history.
Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele Gudeta finished second in 27:10 seconds after a strong final two kilometers. Kenya’s Jacob Krop came in third in 27:23 seconds, followed by Boniface Kibiwott in fourth in 27:44 seconds. Carlos Mayo of Spain was the first Spaniard to cross the finish line in 8th place in 28:11 seconds, while Julien Wanders of Switzerland placed 11th in 28:14 seconds.
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Leading results
- Daniel Simiu Ebenyo (KEN) – 26:57 seconds
- Chimdessa Debele Gudeta (ETH) – 27:10 seconds
- Jacob Krop (KEN) – 27:23 seconds
- Boniface Kibiwott (KEN) – 27:44 seconds
- Emile Cairess (GBR) – 27:44 seconds
- Peter Maru (UGA) – 27:58 seconds
- Kelvin Kibiwott (KEN) Ā – 28:01 seconds
- Carlos Mayo Ā (ESP) – 28:11 seconds
- Samuel Barata (POR) – 28:12 seconds
- Mohammed Benyettou – 29:13 seconds
Source: World Athletics