Uganda wins both men & women San Silvestre races in Spain

Ugandan duo Prisca Chesang and long-distance runner star Joshua Cheptegei swept gold in the women’s and men’s San Silvestre 10km road races in Madrid, Spain.

Chesang crossed the finishing line at 30:19.12, defeating Rwanda’s Francine Niyonsaba who came second at 30:58.9. Beatrice Chepkoech from Kenya finished in the third position at 31:06.4.

In the men’s category, Cheptegei, the double 5,000m and 10,000m world record holder clocked 27:09.11. Mohamed Katir El Haouzi from Eritrea came second at 29:19.01 followed by Ramos Jesus Reviejo from France at 29:49.06.

Cheptegei said that he is excited that the race in Spain was the climax of the 2022 season. He added that he is ready to start preparations for 2023 as he looks forward to the World Cross Country Championships slated for February 2023 in Australia.

“I feel safer in the upcoming competitions after checking my fitness level with the San Silvestre 10km road race,” said Cheptegei.

Chesang, who recently emerged second in the National Cross Country Championships, said she faced stiff competition from world-class athletes Chepkoech and Niyonsaba who have been in the limelight for a long time but endured following the successful preparations ahead of the race.

“It’s not easy to battle with such great names, but by God’s grace I was able to win them,” she said.

Addy Ruiter, Cheptegei and Chasang’s coach says, the performances exhibited by the two athletes from Uganda are a sign of great performances during the next cross-country competitions.