Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa had a slightly disappointing showing at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Samorin where he finished third in the U23 race but the youngster took two very good scalps on home soil over 10km at the BOClassic in Bolzano on 31 December.
The BOClassic is one of the most prestigious New Year’s Eve races on the calendar and has been given a five-star certification rating from European Athletics Running for All. Aside from the elite races, the programme also includes a mass participation 5km on a lapped course around the historic centre, as well as a 5km handbike race and 1.5-2.5km kids’ races.
As expected, world 5000m champion Muktar Edris from Ethiopia retained his title in 28:45 ahead of Moroccans Soufiane Bouqantar (29:07) and Hicham Amghar (29:08) but Crippa was the first European finisher home in fourth in 29:25, three seconds ahead of the recently crowned European marathon record-holder Sondre Nordstad Moen from Norway.
Crippa also had the beating of the reigning European cross country champion Kaan Kigen Ozbilen from Türkiye, sixth in 29:30.
Kenyans took a one-two in the 5km courtesy of former world cross country champion Agnes Tirop (15:30) and Margaret Kipkemboi (15:58) but there was a European finisher on the podium as Stephanie Twell - part of the gold medal-winning British team in the senior women's race in Samorin last month - was third in 16:03.
Abadia makes it onto the podium in Madrid
European 10,000m bronze medallist Antonio Abadia finished third in the San Silvestre Vallecana in Madrid, a five-star certified event by European Athletics Running for All, for the third time in his career.
Abadia couldn’t quite live with the pace set by Kenyans Eric Kiptanui (27:34) and Amos Kirui (27:48) but Abadia was a noteworthy third in 28:24, defeating reigning champion Nguse Amlosom from Eritrea in the process.
El keniano Kiptanui se lleva la San Silvestre 2017 con un tiempazo: 27:34. Le acompañan en el podio su compatriota Kirui (27:48) y nuestro Toni AbadÃa (28:24). ¡Enhorabuena campeones! pic.twitter.com/1QwSgSwLHq
— SSVallecana (@ssvallecana) December 31, 2017
The women’s race was a demonstration from past winner Gelete Burka from Ethiopia in 30:55. She finished nearly two minutes ahead of Portugal’s Catarina Ribeiro (32:41) with Brit Alyson Dixon third in 32:57.
Wanders claims another big win in Houilles
Julien Wanders has claimed a succession of victories on the roads over the last six weeks but the up-and-coming Swiss distance runner took arguably his biggest to date over 10km at the Corrida de Houilles.
Wanders, 21, stopped the clock at another national record of 28:02 and defeated some world-class athletes in the process. World 10,000m fifth-placer Jemal Yimer from Ethiopia was a close second in 28:03 with reigning three-time champion Cornelius Kangogo from Kenya fourth in 28:53.
Wanders will head back to Kenya for another stint at high altitude ahead of the Barcelona Half Marathon on 11 February. The IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Valencia on 26 March is also on his schedule.
Elsewhere, European U23 1500m champion Konstanze Klosterhalfen won the Silvesterlauf in Trier over 5km in 15:34 while world 1500m finalist Hanna Klein won the 10km at the Silvesterlauf in Backnang in a course record of 32:28.
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The European Athletics Quality Road Race standards act as an assurance for road runners throughout Europe. They distinguish between races that respect the standards and those that haven’t sought certification or assessment. They form the foundation of Running for All, a strong recognisable brand for running activities throughout Europe.
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