Diana Chepkemoi completed the podium 23 seconds behind the winner
Mercy Chepkemoi defied the odds to prevail in the 30th Cross Internacional de Soria Cross Country held at altitude (1100m) in Soria, Spain, on November 10.
The 19-year-old signed a commanding win on her first outing on Spanish ground. The women’s 8km contest witnessed a slow early pace, with the African contingent always at the helm closely followed by a large pack over the opening kilometre.
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08:15 - 10.11.2024
In-form Burundian targets hat-trick in Soria Cross Country
The line-up in Soria comprises three of the first four placers from Atapuerca
Just before completing the first 2000m lap in 6:58, a quartet led by Burundi's Francine Niyomukunzi and Kenya’s Diana Chepkemoi easily broke away from the rest of the contenders, while Spain’s Marta Perez became a lonesome fifth, travelling four seconds in arrears.
The second circuit proved to be much faster as the lead group clocked 6:38 for that segment to extend their advantage to 17 seconds over the Spanish 1500m record-holder Perez, who was performing in front of her home crowd.
Midway through the penultimate loop, Sharon Chepkemoi began to struggle and lost any chance of a podium place, while the eventual winner moved to the front for the first time. It was 200m before the bell, the third loop taking a comfortable 6:50, that Mercy Chepkemoi injected a much brisker rhythm and only Niyomukunzi was able to live with her pace.
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20:00 - 09.11.2024
Chepkemoi trio to battle with Francine Niyomukunzi in Soria Cross Country title
Niyomukunzi kicked off her cross country campaign in style with a commanding win in Amorebieta
The two leaders took turns at the front over the closing circuit, clearly extending their lead over Diana and Sharon Chepkemoi. With some 600m remaining, Mercy Chepkemoi tried to get rid of her Burundian rival but Niyomukunzi managed to remain at her shoulder.
Finally, it was with 300m to go that the Kenyan took advantage of an up and down section to open a sizeable gap on Niyomukunzi and reach the finish line untroubled in 26:48 following a fast 6:34 last lap.
She finished seven seconds ahead of Niyomukunzi, while the world U20 3000m steeplechase bronze medallist Diana Chepkemoi completed the podium 23 seconds behind the winner, but 17 seconds ahead of fourth-placed Sharon Chepkemoi.
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