Kipruto Prevails In Spanish XC Race

Ethiopia’s Gelete Burka finished first in the women’s race.

For Conseslus Kipruto, success in the steeplechase has translated well on the cross-country turf. The reigning junior world champion in the steeple was the first person to come across the finish line at the ‘70th Cross Internacional Juan Muguerza’ in Elgoibar, Spain last Sunday.

The course was 10.8K in length and was to be a battle between three-time winner Leonard Komon, Emmanuel Bett, Vincent Chepkok, and Kipruto.

And after the 3K mark, these four were vying for the lead with an additional four Spaniards, including the European cross-country silver medallist Ayad Lamdassem.

Kipruto’s big move came in the final lap on the muddy course.

“I wasn’t sure of winning at any time because I had picked up a strong cold earlier this week and I didn’t feel 100%,” he said afterwards. “Fortunately my fitness proved good enough to win in such a star-studded line-up. I’m still a junior so I’m aiming to win the junior title at the World Cross in Bydgoszcz next March.”

For More: IAAF