10K Valencia Ibercaja by Kiprun: On a brisk Sunday morning in Valencia, 29-year-old Swedish runner Andreas Almgren unleashed a formidable final sprint to clinch victory in the 10K event, setting a new European record of 26:53. The race intensified in its final moments as Almgren, alongside Vincent Langat of Kenya and Switzerland's Dominic Lobalu, led a tightly contested lead group.
Langat set a relentless pace upfront, attempting to outpace his competitors. However, the race ultimately narrowed to a fierce showdown between Almgren and Lobalu. Demonstrating remarkable endurance and speed, Almgren, a former world junior 800m bronze medalist from 2014, surged ahead in the last 50 meters, securing the win and the record.
Dominic Lobalu, who achieved fourth place in the 5000m at the Paris 2024 Olympics representing the Refugee Olympic Team, finished a close second, just ahead of Langat on a course renowned as the world’s fastest 10km road route.
In another notable performance, Uruguay’s Santiago Catrofe set a new South American record with a time of 27:16, finishing eighth.
The event also featured reigning world and Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee, who is transitioning to marathon running. Yee finished in 29th place with a time of 28:07, as he prepares for the upcoming London Marathon in April. However, British runner Rory Leonard stole the spotlight among British competitors by setting a new national 10km record of 27:38, surpassing the previous record held by Mo Farah and Emile Cairess.
In the women’s race, Kenyan runner Hellen Ekalale Lobun triumphed in 29:30, decisively pulling ahead of Ethiopia’s Girmawit Gebrzihair Gebru in the final stretch, showcasing her prowess on one of the globe’s most challenging courses.
Men's 10km Leading Results:
POS | NAME | TIME | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Andreas | Almgren | 26:53 |
2 | Dominic | Lokinyomo Lobalu | 26:54 |
3 | Vincent | Langat | 26:55 |
4 | Daniel | Kinyanjui | 27:06 |
5 | Isaac | Kimeli | 27:10 |
6 | Benard | Langat | 27:11 |
7 | Telahun | Haile Bekele | 27:13 |
8 | Santiago | Catrofe | 27:16 |
9 | Dawit | Seare | 27:21 |
10 | Celestin | Ndikumana | 27:23 |
Women's 10km Leading Results:
POS | NAME | TIME | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Hellen | Ekalale Lobun | 29:30 |
2 | Girmawit | Gebrzihair Gebru | 29:34 |
3 | Fotyen | Tesfay Haiylu | 29:42 |
4 | Asayech | Ayichew | 29:43 |
5 | Fentaye | Belayneh | 30:00 |
6 | Christine | Chesiro | 30:06 |
7 | Maurine | Jemutai Toroitich | 30:28 |
8 | Miriam | Serem | 30:29 |
9 | Alice | Chemtai | 30:47 |
10 | Lomi | Muleta Tefera | 31:01 |