Uganda’s world cross country champion, Jacob Kiplimo, won the 10K Valencia Ibercaja, a World Athletics Label Road race in 26:48 on Sunday.
The men’s race was led by Mohamed Reda for the opening two kilometres, which were covered in 5:17, but once the pacemaker dropped out of the race it was the overwhelming favourite Kiplimo who took command.
He led the front pack, which included the unheralded Kenyans Peter Mwaniki Njeru and Dennis Kibet Kitiyo, Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew and Switerland’s Dominic Lobalu.
Shortly before the fourth kilometre only Kitiyo managed to follow in Kiplimo’s footsteps, the pair going through the 5km checkpoint in 13:20, while Balew, Njeru and Lobalu ran six seconds back.
At that stage Lobalu was well ahead of schedule to break his compatriot Julien Wanders’ European record of 27:13 set in Valencia four years ago.
When the clock read 15 minutes, Kitiyo’s brave resistance came to an end and from then on Kiplimo proved to be in a class of his own. His 7km split of 18:35 did, however, suggest that Rhonex Kipruto’s world record of 26:24 would remain, despite the Ugandan’s efforts.
Finally, the world half marathon record-holder romped home unopposed in a huge career best of 26:48 to move him to fifth place on the world all-time list, while Balew also ducked under 27 minutes thanks to a 26:58 PB.
In the fight for third place, Njeru (26:59) managed to overtake Kitiyo (27:01) over the closing stages, while Lobalu was unable to better his 27:09 from last year but did equal the European record of 27:13 and held off a fast-finishing Andreas Almgren, who smashed the Swedish record on his 10km debut with 27:20 for sixth.
Spain’s Abdessamad Oukhelfen also set a national record of 27:44.
“I came to Valencia to run a fast time and I just did, so I’m quite satisfied,” said Kiplimo.
“I’m still doubtful on competing at the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade as my primary goal this year is the Olympic Games where I would like to double in the 5000m and 10,000m.”
Men
1 Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 26:48
2 Birhanu Balew (BRN) 26:58
3 Peter Mwaniki Njeru (KEN) 26:59
4 Dennis Kibet Kitiyo (KEN) 27:01
5 Dominic Lobalu (SUI) 27:13
6 Andreas Almgren (SWE) 27:20
7 Mohamed Ismail (DJI) 27:27
8 Rogers Kibet (UGA) 27:33
9 Hillary Chepkwony (KEN) 27:34
10 Dawit Seare (ERI) 27:35
By World Athletics