Adriaan Wildschutt and Katie Wasserman Triumph at World Athletics Cross Country Tour in Austin
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At the seventh World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meeting, the Cross Champs, of the season in Austin, Texas, athletes Adriaan Wildschutt from South Africa and Katie Wasserman from the USA emerged victorious. During a rainy morning at Camp Mabry, Wildschutt outpaced last year's champion, Edwin Kurgat from Kenya, to win the men's 8km race. Similarly, Wasserman defeated fellow American Katie Izzo to secure the women's title.
The men's race was intense from the start, with Wesley Kiptoo setting a brisk pace, leading a pack that included Kiptoo, Kurgat, Wildschutt, Charles Hicks, and Ahmed Muhumed. Wildschutt, the 2021 NCAA Cross Country runner-up, kept a strong pace throughout the race, leading at the three-mile mark. In a thrilling finale, Wildschutt broke away from Kurgat, winning the race in 22:08, four seconds ahead of Kurgat. Kiptoo clinched third place in 22:15, followed closely by Britain's Hicks and the USA's Muhumed.
Post-race, Wildschutt discussed his team's strategy and his personal approach to the race, noting his strength in maintaining a high pace. He is now focusing on the 10,000m event at the upcoming Paris Olympics and plans to compete in indoor 5000m races in preparation.
In the women's race, Wasserman led a large group from the start, with the first mile completed in 5:35. The group eventually whittled down to Wasserman, Izzo, Parker, Klein, Howard, Nichols, and Chelangat. In the final stages, Wasserman pulled ahead, finishing the race in 26:50, two seconds before Izzo. Chelangat finished third, followed by Nichols and Howard.
Wasserman shared her strategy post-race, highlighting her cautious approach due to it being her first 8km run and her decision to push hard in the final lap after feeling confident about her pace.
Top Results Men
1. Adriaan Wildschutt (RSA) 22:08
2. Edwin Kurgat (KEN) 22:12
3. Wesley Kiptoo (KEN) 22:15
4. Charles Hicks (GBR) 22:15
5. Ahmed Muhumed (USA) 22:27
6. Olin Hacker (USA) 22:59
7. Alec Basten (USA) 23:18
8. Casey Comber (USA) 23:20
Top Results Women
1. Katie Wasserman (USA) 26:50
2. Katie Izzo (USA) 26:52
3. Mercy Chelangat (KEN) 26:55
4. Abby Nichols (USA) 27:09
5. Marisa Howard (USA) 27:11
6. Dana Klein (USA) 27:12
7. Kassie Parker (USA) 27:30
8. Angelia Rafter (USA) 27:35
