Narrow XC Win For Emmanuel Bett In Spain

Kenyan men have won the race six times in a row.

It was a close win for Kenya’s Emmanuel Bett at the  19th ‘Cross Internacional de Soria’ in Spain last Sunday.

Bett crossed the the line in the 10K cross-country race in 30:48. Ethiopia’s Amanuel Mesel was second (30:51), while John Kipkoech of Kenya took third, clocking 30:57.

It was Bett’s first-ever victory on Spanish soil.

“I liked the race a lot, especially because of the sunny weather as I consider that’s an advantage for me,” Bett said. “I had tough opponents, mainly the Eritrean Mesel but I was finally the fastest.”

Bett said that his goal is to prepare for the upcoming world cross-country championships in March.

He was the sixth Kenyan male in a row to win the Spanish race.

In the women’s race, an 8K, Nazaret Weldu broke the tape in 28:36. Spanish runners took second and third: Diana Martín (28:38) and Azucena Díaz (28:54).

“When I pushed hard throughout the closing lap, I realised I had opened a slight gap on Weldu and tried to keep it to the end but I just couldn’t,” recalled second-place finisher Martin after the race.

For More: IAAF