The African super stars dominated the 57th
edition of the Campaccio, the sixth leg of the IAAF Cross Country Permit
circuit, held on a sunny and unseasonably warm day in San Giorgio su Legnano.
Men’s race: Without a serious opposition from Italian
and European runners, African stars set the pace from the early stages of the
men’s race. Albert Rop went to front forcing the pace during the first of the
five laps of the 10 km race. And passed the first km split in 2:49. A six-men
group formed by Albert Rop, Japhet Korir, Imane Merga, Kenneth Kipkemoi,
Conseslus Kipruto and Jairus Birech fought it out at the front for most of the
race with a big gap over the rest of the field. During the last lap Rop pulled
away from Korir and Merga
and in the back-straight inside the Angelo Alberti
athletics track he launched his kick to romp home in 28:19 three seconds ahead
of reigning World Cross Country champion Japhet Korir. Rop’s time was just four
seconds slower than Joseph Ebuya’s winning time in the 2011 edition of this
race. It’s the first time that Barhein has won the Campaccio in the 57 editions
of the popular Northern Italian race.
“Today I faced very strong rivals. It was a hard race.I
tried to pull away from the rest of the field at the start of the race forcing
the pace but I did not manage to do that. I saved energy in the mid of the race
for the final sprint in the last lap. I am planning to run during the indoor
season and take part in the IAAF World Championships in Sopot”
The third place went to 2011 World Cross Country
champion Imane Merga who clocked 28:25.
THE ITALIAN RUNNERS:
The best Italian runner was Jamel Chatbi, who finished seventh in 29:53.
“I started well and I tried to keep the pace with the African runners, although
the fierce pace took its toll. I hoped to beat at least one of the African
runners but I did not manage to do that and for this reason I am a bit
disappointed. Behind Chatbi Michele Fontana finished eighth. “I wanted to
confirm the good result achieved at the European Under 23 Cross Country
Championships in Belgrade. I managed to achieve this goal and I feel that I am
a more mature athlete at senior level. The African runners are at another
level”, said Michele Fontana. Gianmarco Buttazzo finished in the top.10 in
30:32. “It was a good test. I am aiming to confirm my Italian Half Marathon
title in Verona. I prefer running on the road because I suffer fom problems on
my ankle when I run cross country races. I am happy with my performance”, said
Buttazzo
WOMEN’S RACE: Hiwot Awalew, 2013 World Cross Country
silver medallist, was the favourite and she did not let down. Ayalew crossed
the finish-line in 18’59”, a faster time than the fastest time in the last five
years of 19:26. A four-women group formed by Hiwot Ayalew, Senberi Teferi
(second in 19:06), Linet Masai (third in 19:09) and Mimi Belete (fourth in
19:17) pulled away from the rest of the field and fought it out for the win
until the last lap. During the last lap Ayalew, winner in the last two editions
of theAtapuerca IAAF Permit Cross Country race, broke away from Teferi and
Masai during the last lap to romp home in 18:59.
“I dedicate this win to my husband who is a marathon
runner. I started running in 2009 at school and soon I fell in love with this
sport. It was a difficult race on a hard course. I aim at improving my 3000m
steeplechase personal best next summer. The best Italian runner was Fatna
Maraoui who finished eighth in 20:36 ahead of Layla Soufyane, tenthin 20:39.
World mountain running Alice Gaggi finished a good 11th in 20:58
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