The 2017 African U20 800m bronze medallist, Adisu Girma surprised many when he ran away with the 24th edition of the Cursa dels Nassos title, held on the eve of the New Year in Barcelona, Spain.
The 23 year-old who specializes in 800m and 1500m races, who was also making his debut over the distance became the star of the event after the last-minute withdrawal of Jakob Ingebrigsten who was targeting to lower the World 5km Record of 12:49 that was set last year at this same course by Berihi Aregawi from Ethiopia.
When the bell rang eight runners took off at the front passing the 2km mark in a world record time of 5:22.
The 2016 European 5000m champion, Ilias Fifa from Spain was the first to pull away from the leading group as he came from behind to take the lead at 4km mark in a time of 10:51 but Girma and the 2019 Summer Universiade 5000m champion Jonas Raess from Switzerland followed him closely behind.
Girma took charge of the race with 50m remaining giving a powerful kick that no one could respond to cut the tape in a new personal best of 13:25 with Fifa taking the second spot in 13:30.
Raes closed the podium three finishes in 13:31.
The 2012 European 1500m champion, Henrik Ingebrigstsen who is the elder brothers to Jacob came home in eighth in a time of 13:58.
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