Historic 10K in Romania: Bejiga Clocks 26:54, Eisa Dominates Women’s Race

Two athletes dipped under the 27-minute barrier in the men’s race, while Medina Eisa extended her flawless road-running record in 2025 at the tRUNsylvania 10K – a World Athletics Elite Label road race – held on Sunday, October 5.

Nineteen-year-old Khairi Bejiga produced one of the fastest 10km performances in history, clocking 26:54 to secure victory and headline an Ethiopian double alongside Medina Eisa, who dominated the women’s race in 30:28.

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Bejiga’s performance equalled the fastest debut ever recorded over the distance and marked the second-fastest time by a U20 athlete in history. His run was also just three seconds short of the course record.

Running confidently from the outset, Bejiga reached the halfway mark in 13:34, accompanied by a lead pack of eight men. Over the next two kilometres, the young Ethiopian and South Africa’s Maxime Chaumeton took turns driving the pace, gradually shedding their rivals.

About two kilometers from the finish, Bejiga launched another surge to open a small but decisive gap, ultimately crossing the finish line one second ahead of Chaumeton in 26:54, with Kenya’s Cornelius Kemboi taking third in 27:12.

LEADING RESULTS MEN'S ELITE 10K

In the women’s contest, a large lead pack of 10 athletes passed 5km in 15:14. The group remained tight until the final stages, with Eisa, Kenya’s Brenda Jepchumba Kenei, Mariam Lufti Njoki, Joyciline Jepkosgei, and Turkey’s Yasemin Can still in contention with two kilometres to go.

As the race heated up in the final kilometer, Jepkosgei—former 10km world record-holder—was the first to falter, followed by Can. Eisa then made her decisive move with less than 400m metres remaining, pulling clear to take the win in 30:28.

Eisa, the 2025 world leader over 10km thanks to her 29:25 performance in Castellón, Spain, last February, earned partial redemption after finishing 13th in the 5000m at the World Athletics Championships just over two weeks ago.

Kenei edged Njoki for second in 30:29, while Can claimed fourth in 30:36, setting a new Turkish national record. The performance marked Eisa’s continued dominance on the roads, maintaining her 100% winning streak in 2025.

LEADING RESULTS WOMEN'S ELITE 10K

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