Denis Kipkoech Kemboi Kipkemboi wins down-to-the-wire thriller at 70th Cross Internacional de San Sebastian

The 70th edition of the Cross Internacional de San Sebastián produced an unforgettable showdown in the men’s elite division on November 1, 2026. Held at the iconic Lasarte Hippodrome, this milestone anniversary event lived up to its legacy as a premier fixture on the World Athletics Cross Country Tour. Under clear autumn skies, the cross-country spectacle culminated in a breathtaking photo finish. Kenya’s Denis Kipkoech Kemboi Kipkemboi secured a razor-thin victory, stopping the clock at 20:24 minutes to narrowly edge out his closest rival in a dramatic sprint to the finish line.

From the blast of the starter’s pistol, the men’s senior race set a relentless pace across the looping turf of the Lasarte-Oria course. A high-caliber lead group quickly formed, testing each other’s endurance over the rolling grasslands. As the laps wore on, the race transformed into an intense, tactical battle of wits between the East African powerhouses.

By the final loop, Kenya’s Denis Kipkoech Kemboi Kipkemboi and Uganda’s rising distance star, Samuel Simba Cherop, had broken completely free from the rest of the field. The two athletes matched each other stride for stride, launching counter-surges that brought the roaring San Sebastián crowd to its feet.

As they entered the final homestretch, it was a pure test of raw leg speed. In a sensational shoulder-to-shoulder sprint, Kipkemboi threw his torso across the line to take the crown in 20:24. Cherop finished a mere single second behind, registering an incredible 20:25 to claim the runner-up spot. Ethiopia’s Wegene Adisu completed the star-studded podium, crossing the mats in 20:41 to secure a comfortable third place.

Behind the fierce podium battle, the chasing pack featured an exceptional display of grit from European cross-country specialists looking to make their mark on the historic Spanish circuit.

Finishing just outside of the podium bracket was Efrem Gidey. Delivering a well-calculated and gritty performance, Gidey locked down a commanding fourth place with a time of 20:57. His ability to handle the increasing fatigue over the final loops allowed him to hold off late-race threats from behind.

Right on his heels was Great Britain’s Rory Leonard, who completed the top five. Leonard executed a brilliant, measured race, pacing himself expertly through the middle sectors before unleashing a strong finish over the final kilometer to clock 21:02. The consecutive finishes of Gidey and Leonard underscored the high competitive density of this platinum-anniversary field.

Rounding out the elite top six was Spain’s own Daniel Arce. Spurred on by the passionate local supporters lining the barriers, Arce put on a stellar performance against the world-class international pack. He crossed the line in 21:06, demonstrating excellent form as the cross-country season begins to build momentum toward the winter championships.

70º Cross Internacional de San Sebastián Final Standings
1. Denis Kipkoech Kemboi Kipkemboi (Kenya) – 20:24 min
2. Samuel Simba Cherop (Uganda) – 20:25 min
3. Wegene Adisu (Ethiopia) – 20:41 min
4. Efrem Gidey (Ireland 20:57 min
5. Rory Leonard United Kingdom 21:02 min
6. Daniel Arce Spain 21:06 min

Celebrating 70 historic editions, the San Sebastián International Cross continues to serve as an essential benchmark for the sport’s finest harriers. The 2026 chapter will be long remembered for Kipkemboi’s tactical brilliance and the thrilling, down-to-the-wire finish that added another epic page to the history books at Lasarte.