Kenya's Hellen Ekalale picks surprise debut victory in Valencia
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 12.01.25. | 21:10
In the men's race, Kenya's Vincent Langat finished third in a close race won by Sweden’s Andreas Almgren
Kenya's Hellen Ekalale Lobun had a 10km debut to remember as she took the Valencia Ibercaja title in an incredible time of 29:30 on Sunday.
The 25-year-old broke away from Ethiopia's Girmawit Gebrezihair with 600 meters to go, claiming the victory that now places her fourth on the world all-time list.
Billed as an assault on the Ethiopian record of 29:14 set by pre-race favorite Fotyen Tesfay, Lobun put herself in the lead group that went through the three km mark in 8:46.
The cadence soon dropped, however, and Tesfay went through 5km in 14:31 with Lobun five seconds behind.
The leading duo were soon joined by Gebrezihair as they reached the seven km in 20:29, making it a grandstand battle to the end.
Approaching the final kilometre, Tesfay dropped back, leaving Lobun and Gebrezihair to duel for the victory.
Lobun, coached by Williams Langat, was however not to be denied as she executed her break brilliantly to take the unexpected victory.
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“I didn’t expect to win but I knew I was in good shape,” Lobun told World Athletics post-race. “It was my first 10km ever so my debut has been fantastic."
In the men's race, Kenya's Vincent Langat finished third in a close race won by Sweden’s Andreas Almgren in a time of 26:53.
Langat, who timed 26:55, was narrowly beaten at the line after looking prime to take the win.
It was Almgren who put his kick finish to good use, with Switzerland's Dominic Lobalu settling for second in 26:54.
Another Kenyan, Daniel Kinyanjui, was fourth, clocking 27:06.
