Kipchumba Edges Kwizera as Cherop Dominates Cross Internacional de Soria

Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang retained his Cross Internacional de Soria title after a thrilling sprint finish against Rodrigue Kwizera, while Uganda’s Charity Cherop delivered a commanding victory in the women’s race at Valonsadero. Cold, rain and wind provided a demanding backdrop to the 32nd edition, with both senior races contested over 8km.

Kipchumba and Kwizera crossed the line in an identical 23:49, with the Kenyan taking victory by the narrowest of margins in a repeat of their 2025 battle. Cherop’s success was more decisive, as she broke clear to win in 26:19, finishing 14 seconds ahead of Cynthia Chepkirui.

Kipchumba Holds Off Kwizera in Dramatic Finish

Felix Kiptarus Korir set an aggressive early pace in the men’s race, with Spain’s Pablo Sánchez Gómez committing himself near the front while the principal contenders watched the opening moves.

The early advantage disappeared on the second circuit as the field came back together. A stretched leading group of around 12 runners formed, and Kwizera began moving into contention as the race developed.

Further changes of pace reduced the contest to five leaders by the third circuit. Kipchumba, Kwizera and Fasika Ayele Anose remained firmly in the battle, with repeated attacks on the final lap keeping the outcome uncertain.

The decisive move came after the final climb, when Kipchumba pushed to the front with Kwizera alongside him. The pair raced shoulder to shoulder before the defending champion entered the finishing straight with a slender advantage.

Kwizera closed strongly and challenged all the way to the line, but Kipchumba held on by centimetres to secure another Soria victory. Both were credited with 23:49, while Ayele completed the podium just two seconds behind in 23:51.

Damitew Kebede finished fourth in 24:22, followed by early leader Korir in 24:53. Sánchez maintained his position at the head of the domestic club contingent to finish sixth in 25:20, five seconds ahead of Víctor Ruiz Orden. Eleazar Cantón Serrano placed eighth in 25:30, with Sweden’s Oliver Lofqvist ninth in 25:35 and Vicente Viciosa Villa completing the top 10 in 25:42.

Cherop Breaks Clear for Convincing Women’s Victory

Charity Cherop imposed a demanding tempo from the start of the women’s race, immediately stretching the field and drawing a small group of African contenders to the front.

Mariana Machado, the 2019 winner, joined Idaira Prieto Suárez, Carla Gallardo Puertas and Salome Afonso in trying to contain the early break. Their response briefly brought the groups together, but another increase in pace established a clear advantage for the leaders.

Cherop made her decisive move on the third circuit. The Ugandan accelerated away alone, leaving Chepkirui and Mirriam Cherop to contest the remaining podium places as Machado drove the pursuit further back.

Maintaining her rhythm over the closing stages, Cherop reached the finish in 26:19. Chepkirui secured second in 26:33, with Mirriam Cherop another six seconds behind in 26:39.

Machado was the leading European finisher in fourth with 27:31. Prieto produced a strong run to take fifth in 27:40 and finish as the first Spanish woman, three seconds ahead of Afonso.

Gallardo placed seventh in 28:08, followed by Katherine Tisalema Puruncaja in 28:44 and Lidia Campo Sastre in 29:05. Vanessa Tremas Carvalho rounded out the top 10 in 29:35.

VIEW ALL RESULTS HERE.

TOP RESULTS MEN'S SENIOR ELITE 8000M RACE

TOP RESULTS WOMEN'S SENIOR ELITE 8000M RACE