Jacob Kiplimo and Berihu Aregawi to Clash in High-Stakes New Year's Eve Race in Madrid

Jacob Kiplimo and Berihu Aregawi are set to compete at the Nationale-Nederlanden San Silvestre Vallecana in Madrid, Spain on New Year’s Eve in what promises to be a captivating matchup. Both runners are among the elite in road racing, with Aregawi returning as the defending champion from last year’s race, vividly recalling the course where he triumphed.

Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda is returning to the event, aiming to build on his exceptional performance from 2018, where he not only won but also set a world-leading time. The two-time world cross country champion posted a remarkable 26:41, the fastest global mark at that time, and is aiming to better that record this year, demonstrating he's in peak condition.

Recently, Kiplimo set a new world best in the 15km road race in Nijmegen, Netherlands, clocking an impressive 40:42 and breaking the previous world record held by his compatriot Joshua Cheptegei. Facing him is the formidable Ethiopian Berihu Aregawi, the current title holder who is determined to defend his title and challenge Kiplimo’s course record.

Last year, Aregawi won in 27:16, which, while short of Kiplimo's record, positions him as a strong contender for the upcoming showdown. With a rich history of accolades, including a silver medal from the Paris Olympics and multiple podium finishes at the World Cross Country Championships, Aregawi also holds the second-fastest 10km record in history at 26:33, just behind Rhonex Kipruto’s 2023 record.

Spanish talents like Adel Mechaal, the nation's fastest runner, along with Yago Rojo and Jesús Ramos, will also be competing, adding to the race's excitement.

For fans eager to watch the race live, a free stream will be available online, starting at 16:30 Central European Time on New Year’s Eve. More details on where to watch can be found here.