Olympic Medalists and Record Holders to Clash at 2024 tRUNsylvania 10K in Brasov
The tRUNsylvania 10K, set for September 22, 2024, will feature a stunning men’s field highlighted by Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalist Ronald Kwemoi and the defending champion, Weldon Langat. This race is a pivotal part of the Brasov Running Festival's fourth edition, which also includes the European Road Mile on September 21.
Ronald Kwemoi, renowned for his prowess on the track, especially as a former world U20 1500m record holder, recently captured the silver in the 5000m at the Paris Olympics. His transition to road racing brings an exciting element to the event as he attempts to convert his track success to the roads of Brasov, Romania. Kwemoi’s best road time over the 10km distance stands at 27:16, reflecting his relative newness to this format despite his significant track credentials.
Weldon Langat, the race’s defending champion, has shown formidable skill in road racing, nearly clinching the course record in 2022 with a personal best of 26:55, just shy of Nicolas Kipkorir Kimeli's standing record of 26:51. Both athletes are viewed as potential record-breakers in this upcoming edition.
The tRUNsylvania 10K, distinguished as a World Athletics Elite Label Race, is the only Romanian road race with this status. It features a fast, three-lap course in Brasov’s modern Coresi district, promising a high-speed contest.
Joining Kwemoi and Langat are three other athletes who have recently dipped under 27:20 over 10km: Stanley Mburu, Laban Kiplimo, and Bravin Kiprop, all hailing from Kenya. Their participation guarantees a fiercely competitive race.
Europe’s challenge will be spearheaded by Swiss marathon record holder Tadesse Abraham, a fresh Barcelona Marathon winner with a best of 2:05:01, and Norway’s Sondre Nordstad Moen, a former European marathon record holder.
The women’s race is equally impressive, led by Ethiopia’s Lemlem Hailu and Kenya’s Grace Loibach Nawowuna. Hailu, a 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships 3000m gold medalist, has shown her potential on the track with a sub-30-minute 10,000m. Despite limited road racing experience, her track performances hint at a possible breakthrough.
Nawowuna, only 20, has rapidly risen in the ranks with her fourth-place finish at the World Cross Country Championships and a stunning 29:47.42 for 10,000m on the track, marking her as the third-fastest woman in this event for the year.
They are joined by Janeth Chepngetich and Loice Chemnung, who have both clocked sub-30 minutes over 10km this year, placing them among the world’s elite.
As the Brasov Running Festival approaches, athletes and fans alike are poised for record-breaking performances in a showcase of global running talent.
MEN'S ELITE FIELD
- Weldon Langat (KEN): 26:55
- Laban Kiplimo (KEN): 27:15
- Ronald Kwemoi (KEN): 27:16
- Bravin Kiprop (KEN): 27:16
- Stanley Mburu (KEN): 27:18
- Hicham Amghar (MAR):27:24
- Daniel Kimaiyo (KEN): debut (13:04.39 5000m)
- Patrick Moisin (KEN): 27:26
- David Kimaiyo (KEN): 27:26
- Abraham Kipyatich (KEN): 27:38
- Richard Etir (KEN): 27:47 (27:06.88 10,000m)
- Sondre Nordstad Moen (NOR): 27:55 (2:05:48 marathon)
- Hagos Eyob (ETH): 28:33
- Tadesse Abraham (SUI): 28:28 (2:05:01 marathon)
WOMEN'S ELITE FIELD
- Janeth Chepngetich (KEN): 29:55
- Loice Chemnung (KEN): 29:57
- Grace Loibach Nawowuna (KEN): 30:27 (29:47.42 10,000m)
- Yeshanesh Asmarech Anley (ETH): 30:31 (downhill)
- Christine Njoki (KEN): 30:37
- Nelvin Jepkemboi (KEN): 30:41
- Judy Kemboi (KEN): 30:48
- Lemlem Hailu (ETH): 31:23 (29:59.15 10,000m)
- Daisy Jepkemei (KAZ): 31:39 (30:52.43 10,000m)
- Gladys Kwamboka (KEN): 31:54
- Lili Anna Vindics-Tóth (HUN): 31:54
- Stella Rutto (ROU): 32:04
- Lemlem Nibret Alemu (ETH): 32:20
- Godu Mulat Tekle (ETH): 32:40 (66:53 1/2 marathon)
