Seare Pips Ingebrigtsen to Gold in Copenhagen 5km
Dawit Seare overtakes Jakob Ingebrigtsen in the final meters to claim Eritrea's first road title, while Likina Amebaw dominates the women's race.
Key points
- Dawit Seare of Eritrea beat Jakob Ingebrigtsen in the final meters to win the men's 5km in 12:56.
- Likina Amebaw of Ethiopia won the women's 5km in 14:41, extending her winning streak from Budapest.
- Robert Farken of Germany surprised the field to win the men's mile in 3:51.80.
The red asphalt of the Copenhagen streets hums under the weight of ten thousand pairs of spikes. For five kilometers, the air is thick with exertion and the rhythmic slap of rubber against pavement. Then, in the dying stretch, the rhythm breaks. Dawit Seare surges forward, his lungs burning, his legs driving with a desperate, final reserve of power. He slips past Jakob Ingebrigtsen by a nose, crossing the line in 12 minutes and 56 seconds to snatch gold for Eritrea.
Ingebrigtsen, the Olympic champion, had looked untouchable until the final kilometer. The Norwegian great, running only his sixth race of an injury-plagued season, powered through to lead. But Seare, the African 5,000m champion, found a gear that no one expected. His compatriot Saymon Amanuel held on for bronze, completing a podium that stunned the field.
Amebaw breaks away early
On the women’s side, the drama was absent, replaced by sheer dominance. Likina Amebaw of Ethiopia made an early break, pulling ahead with decisive authority. She crossed the line in 14 minutes and 41 seconds, a performance that followed her victory just six days prior in Budapest. Caroline Gitonga of Kenya finished seven seconds behind, while Rose Davies of Australia took the bronze medal.
German surprise in the mile
The men’s mile produced a shocker. Robert Farken of Germany, an unexpected contender, caught American Yared Nuguse in the final 100 meters. Farken won in 3:51.80, claiming his first major title in a finish that defied the pre-race expectations. Jake Heyward of Britain ran a personal best on the roads, finishing 11th in 3:55.76.
Guillemot sets world best
Agathe Guillemot of France attacked with perfect timing to win the women’s mile in 4:22.74. It is the fastest time recorded this year on the road. She beat Freweyni Hailu of Ethiopia to the line, securing a victory that stands as a new benchmark for the season. The festival of running in the Danish capital continues on Sunday with the half-marathon titles.
