Chepchirchir, Ntakarutimana Win Sparkassen Cross Pforzheim

Kenya’s Caren Chepchirchir and Burundi’s Egide Ntakarutimana won the women’s and men’s races at the Sparkassen Cross Pforzheim on Saturday, November 14, 2026, according to a race report. World Athletics described both victories as narrow wins.

The event made its debut as a World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meeting.

The 17-year-old Chepchirchir won the women’s 7.5km race in 22 minutes and 50 seconds, two seconds ahead of Burundi’s Francine Niyomukunzi.

Niyomukunzi controlled much of the race and led a group that included Chepchirchir, Italy’s Elvanie Nimbona and Germany’s Elena Burkard. Chepchirchir gradually increased her pace in the closing stages.

Niyomukunzi finished second in 22:52. Nimbona was third in 23:19.

In the men’s 7.5km race, Ntakarutimana edged his Burundian compatriot Célestin Ndikumana. Both were credited with the same time of 19:14, and Ntakarutimana reached the line first.

A third runner, listed as Leonard, was third in 19:30. Jäger finished fourth in 19:34, and Mads Meijer of the Netherlands was fifth in 19:41.

The reports reviewed did not give weather or course conditions. They also did not say how many athletes started either race.https://x.com/citizentvkenya/status/2121843644512743835?a=DcgLPxPbuBpHGrGaIK0&s=20

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