Khairi Bejiga produced one of the fastest times in history with his 26:54 run at the tRUNsylvania 10K – a World Athletics Elite Label road race, on Sunday 5 October in Brasov Romania, with compatriot Medina Eisa completing an Ethiopian double by winning the women’s race in 30:28.
Just 19, Bejiga equaled the fastest ever debut over the distance and posted the second fastest time ever by an U20 runner. He was also just three seconds shy of the course record.
Running aggressively and confidently from the start, Bejiga reached the halfway point in 13:34 along with another eight men. Bejiga continued to push the pace over the next two kilometres with South Africa’s Maxime Chaumeton also helping out with the work at the front.
Bejiga and Chaumeton’s rivals dropped away gradually before the young Ethiopian surged again at about eight kilometres, eventually crossing the line one second ahead of Chaumeton in 26:54. Kenya’s Cornelius Kemboi completed the podium in 27:12.
In the women’s race, a big group of 10 athletes went through the halfway point in 15:14. With 2km to go, a group of five were still together – Eisa, the Kenyan trio of Brenda Jepchumba Kenei, Mariam Lufti Njoki and Joyciline Jepkosgei along with Turkey’s former multiple European champion Yasemin Can.
As the pace increased over the final kilometre, former 10km world record-holder Jepkosgei was the first to break with 600 metres to go, followed quickly by Can.
Eisa made her decisive move with 300 metres to go and pulled clear to win in 30:28. Kenei outsprinted Njoki for second place with the pair clocked at 30:29 and 30:31 respectively while Can set a Turkish record of 30:36 in fourth.
Leading results
Women
1 Medina Eisa (ETH) 30:28
2 Brenda Jepchumba Kenei (KEN) 30:29
3 Mariam Lufti Njoki (KEN) 30:31
4 Yasemin Can (TUR) 30:36
5 Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 30:41
6 Faith Cherono (KEN) 30:52
Men
1 Khairi Bejiga (ETH) 26:54
2 Maxime Chaumeton (RSA) 26:55
3 Cornelius Kibet Kemboi (KEN) 27:12
4 Victor Kiprono (KEN) 27:18
5 Vincent Kipkorir (KEN) 27:26
6 Amos Kipkirui Langat (KEN) 27:32