Kwizera and Jepkemei win the World Cross Country Gold Tour in Atapuerca
Rodrigue Kwizera from Burundi and Daisy Jepkemei from Kazakhstan triumphed at the Cross Internacional de Atapuerca, a prestigious event on the World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold circuit.
Kwizera secured his first career victory in the men’s race, clocking in at 25:37, narrowly edging out Oscar Chelimo, the 2022 world 5000 meters bronze medalist from Uganda. Matthew Kipsang finished in third place with a time of 25:46, followed by Burundi's Egide Ntakaturimana at 25:48 and Kenya's Martin Kiprotich at 25:50.
The race commenced with Spain’s Daniel Arce, a 3000 meters steeplechase specialist, taking an early lead alongside compatriot Adel Mechaal. Kwizera, Chelimo, and Kiprotich initially trailed the Spanish duo but soon bridged the gap. Chelimo surged to the front before the midway point, while Kwizera strategically positioned himself in third. As the bell sounded, Kwizera accelerated, taking the lead with a robust pace that only Chelimo and Kiprotich could initially match. However, Kiprotich soon fell back. In the final kilometer, Chelimo attempted a break, but Kwizera swiftly closed it and launched a decisive sprint to clinch the win. This victory marks his second in the World Cross Country Tour following his earlier success in Amorebieta.
"The race was challenging due to the rain and several tricky muddy sections," Kwizera reflected. "I usually prefer to conserve energy in the pack before making a significant move late in the race, especially since the competition always includes incredibly fast runners."
In the women's event, Jepkemei established an early lead, with only Nawowuna and Francine Nyomokunzi managing to keep pace. Jepkemei and Nawowuna gradually pulled away, creating a 10-second gap over Nyomokunzi by the three-kilometer mark, who was then 14 seconds ahead of Spanish athletes Caroline Robles, a 2021 Olympic steeplechase finalist, and the 2022 European under-20 cross country champion.
The lead for Jepkemei and Nawowuna stretched to 26 seconds approaching the midpoint. With just 200 meters remaining, Jepkemei made a decisive move to secure the victory with a finishing time of 25:00. Nyomokunzi followed at 26:18, with Robles trailing at 26:40.
Top Results Men Elite (9km)
1. Rodrigue Kwizera (BDI) 25:37
2. Oscar Chelimo (UGA) 25:39
3. Mathew Kipsang (KEN) 25:46
4. Egide Ntakarutimana (BDI) 25:48
5. Martin Kiprotich (UGA) 25:50
6. Adel Mechaal (ESP) 26:11
7. Ayele Tadesse (ETH) 26:11
8. Efrem Gidey (IRL) 26:18
Top Results Women Elite (8km)
1. Daisy Jepkemei (KZK) 25:00
2. Grace Nawowuna (KEN) 25:02
3. Francine Niyomukunzi (BDI) 26:18
4. Carolina Robles (ESP) 26:40
5. Elena Burkard (GER) 26:48
6. Mariana Machado (POR) 26:48
7. Águeda Marqués (ESP) 26:50
8. María Forero (ESP) 26:54
