The Kenyan Mercy Chepkemoi and the Burundian Rodrigue Kwizera This Sunday they flew over the meadow of Valonsadero, in the Cross of Soria, to achieve victory in the women’s and men’s categories respectively. Thus, the 30th edition of the International Cross Country de Soria did not disappoint, with a day of pleasant temperatures on a Valonsadero mountain overflowing with greenery and autumn ocher, and above all, a morning athletics marathon, which varied from the smallest to two races absolutes of exquisite level.
The men’s event, with its devilish pace, was dominated by the favorite, the Burundian Rodrigue Kwizera who, for the third time register as a test winnerequaling the feat of his compatriot Timothy Toroitich. Among the women, an open event was expected, and it was, with young Mercy Chepkemoi demonstrating her courage and talent.
The athlete from Soria Daniel Mateo Angulo returned to compete at home after a year of absence in Valonsadero, the only one in his entire sporting life. His desire manifested itself with a first round in which he set the tone. His momentum was transferred to African athletes, who quickly took over, notably the combative Ethiopian Wegene Chala. Behind, Kwizera took refuge in the peloton with the Spaniards, reports Ical.
Edige Ntakarutimana’s change as he reached the top step of the round became demanding and the favorites reacted, with Chala, Kwizera, Mattew Kipchumba, Ayede Tadesse and Hosea Kiplangat in line one. Mateo gave up positions, while Daniel Arce became the first Spaniard in a peloton of ten riders.
The second round had not yet ended when Ntakarutimana paid dearly for the effort of having accelerated the pace. Kwizera was at the front of the race, probably looking to break through for the first time over the abundant field of Africans. Those who most supported the proposal of the athlete from Playas de Castellón were Chala, Kipsang and Tadesse. Kiplangat was also losing momentum, while the chasing group, now made up of six members, was led by another rider who grew up in Valonsadero, Segovin Javi Guerra, who was celebrating his birthday that day. Nassim Hassasous, Pablo Sánchez, Dani Arce, Ibrahim Buras and the Portuguese Rui Pinto made up the list, followed a few meters by Daniel Mateo Angulo.
On the last lap, no one could follow Kwizera closely. Kipsang started again a few meters behind, with Tadesse and Chala without giving up, aware of the importance of the fight for the podium. The Africans who gave in were dispersed, while the Spanish held the group, now composed of only four members, the Norwegians Buras, Hassasous, Guerra and Sánchez.
Unsurprisingly, Kwizera flew to victory, motivated to maintain his victory. The second would be a formidable Tadesse, radiant on the finish line, while the third place would be decided to the millimeter in a fight between Chala and Kipsang, the second taking the lead.
A difficult prognosis
For women, the race was open on paper and therefore difficult to predict. And the show was going to be up to par. The Africans immediately gave up their place gradually, with a courageous Marta Pérez who was the only Spaniard to follow them during the first round. Cristina Espejo, Sara Reimondo, María Luz Tesuri and Lidia Campo formed a chasing team.
One of the main favourites, Burundi’s Francine Niyomukunzi, also set the tone in the second round, with Kenya’s Chepkemoi letting Sharon, Diana and Mercy do their part. Behind, Marta Pérez, increasingly distant, continues to be the best Spaniard, Espejo giving up more ground and finding herself isolated from the increasingly small group of pursuers.
The bell rang and Mercy Chepkemoi was beginning to present herself as a serious obstacle for Niyomukunzi, while late, Sharon became the first African to lose weight. Marta Pérez continued to do her thing, but now it was Lidia Campo who changed the pace in an attempt to track down Soriano’s daughter.
In a breathtaking final lap, Mercy Chepkemoi changes pace and leaves Niyomukunzi behind. Third place would go to Diana Chepkemoi and fourth to Sharon. The spectacular career of local athlete, Marta Pérez, would have a reward in the form of a fifth place, followed by a courageous Lidia Campo.
