Maurine Jepkoech Chebor triumphs in thrilling duel at the 70th Cross Internacional de San Sebastián

The 70th edition of the Cross Internacional de San Sebastián delivered a masterclass in cross-country racing on November 1, 2026. Staged at the historic Lasarte Hippodrome, this platinum-anniversary event solidified its legacy as one of Europe’s most prestigious autumn athletic fixtures. Under favorable racing conditions, the elite women’s field put on a captivating display of tactical positioning, endurance, and raw speed. Ultimately, Kenya’s Maurine Jepkoech Chebor claimed a thrilling victory, crossing the finish line in 24:09 minutes to etch her name into the tournament’s storied history.

The race commenced at a fierce tempo, with the lead pack quickly detaching themselves from the rest of the field as they navigated the undulating terrain of the Lasarte turf. Kenya’s Maurine Jepkoech Chebor established herself at the forefront early on, dictating a grueling pace that tested the lungs and legs of her competitors.

However, the victory was far from a foregone conclusion. Spain’s rising star, Maria Forero, refused to let Chebor break away. Forero tracked Chebor’s every move, matching her stride for stride through the pivotal middle sectors of the race. The duel kept the roaring San Sebastián crowd on their feet as the two athletes traded surges.

In the final kilometer, Chebor unleashed a devastating kick, leveraging her deep endurance reserves to build a decisive, five-second cushion. She crossed the line triumphant in 24:09. Forero stopped the clock at a spectacular 24:14, securing a hard-fought second place and proving her caliber against world-class international competition. Finishing the podium block was Uganda’s Felister Chekwemoi, who executed a brilliant, measured race to secure third place in 24:30.

Beyond Forero’s brilliant runner-up performance, the 70th Cross Internacional de San Sebastián highlighted the exceptional depth currently surging through Spanish women’s distance running.

Marta Serrano delivered a stellar performance to finish just outside the podium positions. Clocking 24:34, Serrano locked down a commanding fourth place, demonstrating excellent tactical maturity by holding off late-race surges from the chasing pack.

Right behind her, Carla Arce completed the coveted top five. Arce fought fiercely through the closing straight, crossing the line in 24:42. The back-to-back finishes of Serrano and Arce underscore a bright future for the national circuit, showing that Spanish athletes are more than capable of dictating the pace in premium international fields.

The competitive nature of this year’s race meant that even fractions of a minute separated the continent’s finest. Rosalía Tárraga added to the strong Spanish contingent at the top of the leaderboard, capturing a commendable sixth-place finish. Tárraga crossed the timing mats in 24:54, breaking the 25-minute barrier on a course that grew increasingly demanding with each passing lap.

Rounding out the elite top seven was Patricia Jackman. Showcasing remarkable grit and a steady, rhythmic stride across the grass, Jackman fought through the grueling final loops to clock a time of 25:22. Her performance closed out an elite tier of runners who defined the 70th edition of the race with their high-octane athleticism.

70º Cross Internacional de San Sebastian Final Standings
1. Maurine Jepkoech Chebor (Kenya) – 24:09 min
2. Maria Forero (Spain) – 24:14 min
3. Felister Chekwemoi (Uganda) – 24:30 min
4. Marta Serrano (Spain) – 24:34 min
5. Carla Arce (Spain) – 24:42 min
6. Rosalía Tárraga (Spain) – 24:54 min
7. Patricia Jackman (Ireland) – 25:22 min

Celebrating 70 editions is no small feat for any sporting event, and the Cross Internacional de San Sebastián honored its rich heritage with world-class organization and an electric atmosphere. Since its inception, Lasarte has been a theater where legendary international harriers test their mettle against a fierce vanguard of local heroes.

The 2026 chapter will be remembered for Chebor’s tactical brilliance and the ferocious resistance mounted by Forero. As the cross-country season begins to heat up toward the winter championships, the performances witnessed on November 1 serve as a crucial benchmark for the sport’s elite, setting a remarkably high standard for the races yet to come.