Ethiopians Take Home Top Honors at Campaccio Cross Country Race in Italy

By Adam Kopet

Monday marked the first major cross country event of 2020 with the Campaccio Cross Country Race in Italy. Ethiopia's Mogos Tuemay and Fotyen Tesfay notched upset victories in the 63rd edition of the meet.

RESULTS

Racing over 10K, the men's race featured steeplechase world silver medalist Lemecha Girma of Ethiopia and road 5k world record holder Robert Keter. However, as the race entered the final of five laps it was Tuemay with a three-second lead.

It was a lead that would grow until the finish with Tuemay breaking the tape in 29:01. Girma finished 10 seconds back in 29:11 and Keter finished third in 29:13.

The women's 6K race featured 5,000-meter world silver medalist Margaret Kipkemboi Chelimo and 8:29 3,000-meter runner Gloria Kite, both of Kenya. The first two laps saw a group of Tesfay, Chelimo, Kite and Alemitu Tariku of Ethiopia at the front.

The final lap turned into a duel between Tesfay and Chelimo. Tesfay launched her kick in the final straight to earn the narrow win over Chelimo. Both women were credited with a time of 19:27. Kite finished two seconds back in 19:29.

On the American cross country front, the USATF Cross Country Championships are scheduled for Jan. 18 in San Diego. DyeStat will be on site for coverage and interviews. The meet will be live on USATF.TV.