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Jacob Kiplimo, Uganda’s Long-distance Runner and World Record Holder, kicked off the year with a stylish victory at the 10-kilometer Valencia Ibercaja Road Race in Spain. The reigning 2023 World Cross Country Champion completed the race in an impressive 26 minutes and 53 seconds.

Jacob Kiplimo

Uganda’s Long-distance-Runner and World-Record-Holder Jacob Kiplimo started the year in style by winning the 10-kilometer Valencia Ibercaja Road Race in Spain on Sunday 14th January 2024.

The reigning 2023 World Cross Country Champion raced for 26 minutes and 53 seconds before crossing the finish line.

Balew Birhanu from Bahrain came second in 26 minutes and 59 seconds while Kenya’s Peter Mwaniki Aila finished in the third position on 27 minutes.

The men’s race was led by Mohamed Reda for the opening two kilometers, which were covered in 5:17, but once the pacemaker dropped out of the race it was the overwhelming favorite Kiplimo who took command.

Jacob Kiplimo training before going to Spain

He led the front pack, which included the unheralded Kenyans Peter Mwaniki Njeru and Dennis Kibet Kitiyo, Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew and Switzerland’s Dominic Lobalu.

Shortly before the fourth kilometer 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.

In the same event, another Ugandan runner Rogers Kibet came in the 8th position (27 minutes and 35 seconds) while Joy Cheptoyek was 5th in the women’s category after (30 minutes and 12 seconds) in the race won by Kenya’s Agnes Chebet.

The vice president of technical at Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF), Mr. Njia Benjamin, says, the great performance from the Ugandan athletes at the event is a sign of a better season start for Team Uganda.

“It’s a good start for 2024, and I look forward to advancing in my training to achieve this year’s mission of shinning, especially when it comes to major Athletics events, like the World Cross Country and Olympics,” Kiplimo stated after clinching gold.

“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