Saymon Amanuel and Yenenesh Shimket Dominate the 93rd Cinque Mulini
.jpg/cinque-mulini-2025%20(1)__800x450.jpg)
Eritrea’s rising star Saymon Amanuel and Ethiopia’s Yenenesh Shimket lit up San Vittore Olona on Sunday, delivering commanding victories at the 93rd edition of the Cinque Mulini, the fifth stop of the World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold.
Men’s Race: Amanuel Makes History for Eritrea
Eighteen-year-old Saymon Amanuel produced a breakout performance, storming to victory in the 8.2 km men’s race in 22:48, finishing well clear of 2024 U20 world bronze medallist and defending champion Matthew Kipkoech, who crossed in 23:20. Italy’s marathon hero Iliass Aouani completed the podium in 23:29, marking the first Italian medal at Cinque Mulini since Yeman Crippa’s runner-up finish in 2023.
The race opened at a lively clip, with Kipruto leading a packed front group that included Aouani, Amanuel, Ethiopia’s Adehena Kasaye, Osama Zoghlami, Luca Alfieri, and Yassine Bouih, passing the first lap in 6:16.
Amanuel and Kipruto lifted the pace on lap two, breaking away and opening a six-second gap on Aouani by the 11:45 split. Moments later, Amanuel made the decisive move—a bold surge on lap three that dropped Kipruto and gave the Eritrean a five-second cushion at the 15-minute mark.
From there, he never looked back.
Amanuel’s advantage ballooned to 32 seconds on the final lap as he powered to the finish, becoming the first Eritrean champion at Cinque Mulini since the legendary Zersenay Tadese in 2008.
Behind him, a thrilling Italian battle unfolded: Alfieri closed fast on Aouani, but the marathon bronze medallist held strong for third place.
Amanuel, who clocked 13:01.85 for 5000m in Nice and 27:10 for 10 km in Lille this year, was elated:
“I worked hard for this competition. I knew I could win. It was special to become the second Eritrean after Zersenay Tadese to win here. This year was my breakthrough season. I plan to race more in cross country.”
Women’s Race: Shimket Repeats in Style
Ethiopia’s Yenenesh Shimket once again showcased her class, dominating the 6.2 km women’s race to win in 19:11 and successfully defend her Cinque Mulini crown.
Sharon Chepkemoi, seventh in the steeplechase at the 2024 World U20 Championships, finished second in 19:46, narrowly edging Burundi’s Elvanie Nimbona.
The early pace was set by a front quartet of Shimket, Chepkemoi, Nimbona and Italian hopeful Valentina Gemetto. By the end of lap one, Shimket had already surged into the lead, clocking 6:48 for the opening circuit.
From there, she was unstoppable.
She blasted a superb 6:06 second lap, passing 4 km in 12:54, and extending her margin to 19 seconds. Shimket continued to widen the gap all the way to the finish, ultimately winning by 35 seconds.
The 18-year-old has been on a rapid rise since her surprise victory here in 2024, later improving to 8:32.01 for 3000m at the Rabat Diamond League.
“Last year was a surprise. Today I expected to win. It’s always special to run inside the mill,” Shimket said.
Italy’s Gemetto followed up her podium in Soria with a solid fourth place in 20:19. Mountain running world team champion Lucia Arnoldo finished fifth in 20:25, ahead of Micol Majori (20:34).
Short Course Winners
Women’s short race: Marta Zenoni dominated in 9:50, beating Chiara Spagnoli by 23 seconds.
Men’s short race: Sebastiano Parolini defended his title, winning in 8:12 ahead of Masresha Costa (8:19).
