Nadia Battocletti secured a historic third straight win at the BOclassic Alto Adige on December 31, while Yomif Kejelcha set a race record in the men’s 10km event in Bolzano, Italy.
Battocletti, 25, continued her fine late-season form on New Year’s Eve after the Italian completed a hat-trick of victories at the World Athletics Label Road Race on Wednesday. The world and Olympic 10,000m silver medallist finished the 5km course in 15:51, joining an elite group that includes only Tegla Loroupe (1994-96) and Berhane Adere (2002-04) in achieving three consecutive wins at this prestigious event.
Read more: Nadia Battocletti to Race Campaccio Cross Country After European Title Defense
The European cross country champion controlled the pace from the early stages. She then broke away from her competitors on the penultimate lap through Bolzano’s historic Old Town, leaving no doubt about the outcome, though her time was slower than the 15:31 she clocked to win last year’s event and her 15:30 from 2023.
Battocletti’s compatriot Del Buono finished second in 16:04, giving Italy a 1-2 finish, while Ethiopian athlete Ksanet Alem took third in 16:05, with Great Britain’s Cari Hughes crossing fourth in 16:06. Valentina Gemetto of Italy rounded out the top five, posting 16:08 for fifth place.
Yomif Kejelcha Dominates BOclassic Alto Adige 10k
In the men’s 10km race, Yomif Kejelcha took complete control with just over two laps remaining. The 28-year-old world 10,000m silver medallist kept pulling away from the field to win in 27:42, setting a new race record. Fellow Ethiopian Telahun Haile Bekele, last year’s winner, finished second in 27:47. Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa, the reigning European half marathon champion, claimed third place in 27:57.
“It was a good race. I am happy,” Kejelcha said.
Meanwhile, Nadia Battocletti’s victory marked her first race since retaining her European cross country title in Lagoa. She will continue her competitive calendar at the Campaccio Cross Country in San Giorgio su Legnano on January 25 before shifting focus to the indoor season.
