Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo dominated the men’s 10km at the 10K Valencia Ibercaja, a World Athletics Label road race, with a phenomenal performance that secured him a place among the top five on the world all-time list.
Kiplimo’s victory in Valencia was marked by his overwhelming command of the race, as he finished with an impressive time of 26:48, showcasing his exceptional talent and setting the stage for his future aspirations in the Olympic Games.
The race began with Mohamed Reda setting the pace, covering the first two kilometers in 5:17. However, once Reda stepped aside, Kiplimo swiftly took the lead.
The front pack, including Kenyans Peter Mwaniki Njeru and Dennis Kibet Kitiyo, Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew, and Switzerland’s Dominic Lobalu, initially kept pace with the Ugandan star.
Kiplimo’s pace was relentless, and shortly before the fourth kilometer, only Kitiyo could maintain close contact, with both athletes passing the 5km checkpoint in 13:20.
As the race progressed, Kiplimo’s superiority became evident. Kitiyo’s resistance waned around the 15-minute mark, leaving Kiplimo to forge ahead alone.
His 7km split time of 18:35 indicated that Rhonex Kipruto’s world record of 26:24 might be safe, yet Kiplimo’s final burst and finish in 26:48 was a performance to remember, placing him fifth on the world all-time list.
Behind Kiplimo, there were noteworthy performances. Balew finished strongly, clocking a personal best of 26:58, dipping under the 27-minute barrier. The battle for third place saw Njeru overtaking Kitiyo in the final stages, finishing in 26:59, just ahead of Kitiyo’s 27:01.
Lobalu, aiming to break Julien Wanders’ European record, matched it with a time of 27:13, while Andreas Almgren of Sweden set a national record with 27:20. Spain’s own Abdessamad Oukhelfen also marked the event with a national record of 27:44.
Post-race, Kiplimo expressed his satisfaction, stating, “I came to Valencia to run a fast time and I just did, so I’m quite satisfied.” He also hinted at his future plans, underscoring his focus on the Olympic Games, where he aims to compete in both the 5000m and 10,000m events. His uncertainty about participating in the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade reflects his strategic focus on the bigger Olympic goal.
Kiplimo’s victory in Valencia is more than a testament to his running prowess; it signifies the rising stature of Ugandan athletes on the global stage.
His performance in Valencia, marked by strategic pacing and undeniable stamina, sets a high bar for his competitors and positions him as a formidable contender for the upcoming Olympic Games.