Berihu Aregawi Targets Course Record at San Silvestre Vallecana on New Year's Eve
Berihu Aregawi, a distinguished long-distance runner, is setting his sights on a major athletic milestone: he intends to surpass Jacob Kiplimo's existing San Silvestre Vallecana course record on Sunday, December 31.
Berihu Aregawi, the world cross country silver medalist and second fastest 10K runner in history, is aiming to break Jacob Kiplimo's record of 26:41 set in 2018. Aregawi, who holds the world record for the 5K road race since last year, is renowned as one of the top road runners globally. His impressive performance this year in Laredo, where he recorded the second fastest 10K road time ever (26:33), only 9 seconds shy of Rhonex Kipruto's record, underscores his potential.
In the upcoming Nationale-Nederlanden San Silvestre Vallecana, Aregawi faces a dual challenge. He must not only outperform top Spanish athletes like 2021 winner Mohamed Katir and the formidable Mario García Romo, but also aim to surpass Kiplimo's record-setting 26:41. Aregawi's personal best suggests that breaking this record and experiencing a historic night at year's end is a tangible goal.
The event will also feature elite European distance runners like British national 5K road champion Scott Beattie and other prominent athletes such as Rory Leonard, Ellis Cross, Fearghal Curtin, and Peter Durec. Additionally, Spain's finest runners like Katir, García Romo, Carro, Yago Rojo, Tariku Novales, Aarón Las Heras, and Sergio Paniagua will add to the event's prestige.
Daniel Mateo, known for his performance in Vallecana and holding the Hour Record on the track, is another athlete to watch. Despite a less than expected result in the Valencia Marathon, his best 10K time of 28:26 in 2021 hints at his potential for this year's race.
Juan Antonio Pérez, a veteran of the Nationale-Nederlanden San Silvestre Vallecana and the sixth fastest Spaniard in the 10K with a time of 27:56, also returns. Known for his remarkable performance in 2018, he remains a strong contender.
Ibrahim Chakir, who placed 24th in the marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest adds another layer of competition to this highly anticipated event.
