Kenyan-born Kazakhstani beats Grace Loibach in International Cross-Country race
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 28.10.24. | 22:00
In the men's 9km, Kenya's Mathew Kipsang took bronze in a time of 25:46
Kenya’s Grace Liobach Nawowuna took silver in the women’s 8km International Cross-Country race in Atapuerca, Spain held over the weekend.
Going up against a tough field, the 20-year-old stuck behind Kazakhstan’s Daisy Jepkemei to come home in a time of 25:02, which was only a fraction (two seconds) from the winning time of 25:00.
Burundi’s France Niyomukunzi, built up among the race favorites, was third, clocking 26:18.
Right from the start, Jepkemei, a 9:06.66 steeplechaser, took command with only Nawowuna and Burundi’s Niyomukunzi for company.
The latter surprisingly lost ground some seven minutes into the race as Jepkemei averaged a brisk 3:06/km pace.
Further back, Spanish duo Carolina Robles and MarÃa Forero ran together.
After three kilometres, lead duo Jepkemei and Nawowuna had built a 10-second advantage on the Burundian, herself another 14 seconds clear of the Spanish duo.
Portugal’s Mariana Machado, Germany’s Elena Burkard and Spain’s Idaira Prieto were a further eight seconds behind.
Just before the midway point, 2020 Olympic steeplechase finalist Robles broke away from 2022 European U20 cross-country champion Forero, while the lead duo’s advantage over Niyomukunzi had increased to 25 seconds.
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There were a few changes on the penultimate 2km circuit.
During the final lap, Nawowuna attempted to move into the lead but it was short-lived.
Then, with about 200 meters remaining, Jepkemei finally broke away from the Kenyan to win in 25:00, just two seconds ahead of Naowuna.
Robles finished fourth, and there was a photo-finish for fifth place between Burkard and Machado, with the German getting the verdict.
Meanwhile, in the men’s 9km race, Kenya’s Mathew Kipsang finished third behind race winner Rodrigue Kwizera and Uganda’s Oscar Chelimo, timing 25:46.
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