Mercy Chepkemoi stunned the field to win the 30th Cross Internacional de Soria, making an impressive debut in Europe on November 10, 2024. The 19-year-old Kenyan triumphed in the women’s 8km race held at an altitude of 1100 meters in Soria, Spain, against a field of competitive athletes, including a strong African contingent.
The race began at a steady pace, with the leading pack of runners, primarily made up of African athletes, staying closely bunched together through the first kilometre. As the race progressed, it was clear that the pace would quicken, and just before the 2km mark, a breakaway group emerged. This group was led by Burundi’s Francine Niyomukunzi and Kenya’s Diana Chepkemoi, with Spanish athlete Marta Perez trailing in fifth place, four seconds behind the leaders.
The second lap saw the lead group pushing harder, clocking a faster segment of 6:38, which allowed them to extend their lead to 17 seconds over Perez, the Spanish 1500m record-holder, who was competing in front of her home crowd. The pace continued to pick up as the race entered the final laps, and by the time they reached the penultimate loop, the field began to show signs of separation. Sharon Chepkemoi, another Kenyan runner, started to struggle and fell out of contention for the podium.
Mercy Chepkemoi, who had stayed in the mix up to this point, moved to the front for the first time midway through the penultimate lap, injecting a faster rhythm into her stride. The move was a decisive one, and from then on, it became a two-woman battle for the top spot. Francine Niyomukunzi, a tough competitor from Burundi, was the only one able to keep pace with Chepkemoi.
In the final 200 meters, as the bell rang for the last lap, Chepkemoi surged ahead with a blistering pace. The Kenyan’s strong finish was highlighted by a rapid 6:34 final lap, the fastest of the race. With about 300 meters left to go, Chepkemoi made a decisive move over an undulating section of the course. Niyomukunzi, despite her best efforts, could not stay with Chepkemoi and was left trailing behind. The Kenyan crossed the finish line unchallenged, winning in a time of 26:48, seven seconds ahead of Niyomukunzi.
The race for the third spot was closely contested, with Diana Chepkemoi maintaining a steady pace throughout and holding off her rivals. She finished in third place, 23 seconds behind Chepkemoi, while Sharon Chepkemoi, who had earlier struggled, came in fourth, a further 17 seconds adrift.
Mercy Chepkemoi’s victory marked a successful start to her European cross-country career, showcasing her strength and tactical acumen. The race had been a test of endurance, with the athletes having to contend with the challenges of racing at altitude. For Chepkemoi, however, it was a perfect debut, as she claimed the win against a high-quality field.
The Soria Cross Country event has long been a fixture in the European athletics calendar, and Chepkemoi’s performance only adds to its prestige. The Kenyan’s victory also highlighted the dominance of African runners in cross-country events, particularly from Kenya and Burundi. Both Niyomukunzi and Chepkemoi demonstrated their talent, with the race providing a thrilling battle for the top spots, but it was Chepkemoi’s finishing strength that ultimately sealed the win.
This race is another step in the rise of Mercy Chepkemoi, who has already demonstrated her potential in previous races. Her performance in Soria is a sign of great things to come, as she continues to make a name for herself on the international cross-country scene. With this victory, Chepkemoi joins a long list of successful Kenyan runners who have made their mark in European cross-country events, adding another impressive win to her growing résumé.
For Niyomukunzi, finishing second in such a competitive field will also be a confidence booster as she prepares for future challenges, while Diana Chepkemoi’s podium finish proves her consistency in tough races. The event in Soria has once again shown the strength of African athletes in the discipline and sets the stage for an exciting season ahead.
