Gressier and Catrofe Make History with Record-Breaking 5km Performances

France’s Jimmy Gressier and Uruguay’s Santiago Catrofe etched their names in history on Sunday, March 16, in Lille, both smashing their respective continental records in a thrilling 5km road race. Gressier became the first European to break the 13-minute barrier with a stunning 12:57, while Catrofe followed just behind in 12:58, setting a new South American record. Their performances now rank among the fastest in history, placing them in the elite top five of all time.

The Lille 5km witnessed an extraordinary showdown as Jimmy Gressier and Santiago Catrofe both delivered record-breaking runs, pushing each other to unprecedented performances. Gressier, previously a co-holder of the European record at 13:12, shattered that mark with a sensational 12:57. Meanwhile, Catrofe made history for South America, clocking 12:58 to set a new continental best.

The duo’s head-to-head battle electrified the race, proving that the sub-13-minute barrier is no longer exclusive to a select few. Gressier’s victory solidified his standing as Europe’s fastest-ever over 5km on the roads, while Catrofe’s record firmly established him among the best distance runners in South America. France’s Yann Schrub, the reigning European cross-country champion, also impressed with a third-place finish in 13:01, further emphasizing the depth of talent in the race.

For Gressier, this marks his second European record of the season. Just last month, he rewrote the continental 5000m indoor record in Boston with a time of 12:54.92, in a race won by Grant Fisher in a world record of 12:44.09.

Both Gressier and Catrofe have proven themselves as forces to be reckoned with in the long-distance running scene. Gressier, who skipped the European Athletics Indoor Championships to focus on road racing, will return to team duties at the inaugural European Running Championships in Brussels-Leuven on April 12-13, where he is set to compete in the 10km. Meanwhile, Catrofe’s breakthrough performance signals his rise as one of South America’s premier distance runners, with more milestones likely on the horizon.

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