The Kenyan Geoffrey Toroitich lived up to his reputation on Saturday evening during the 25th Stadsloop Appingedam. He won the 10 kilometers in 28 minutes and 22 seconds.
With that, the athlete, who has the fastest personal record of all participants, won. The Kenyan runner established that earlier in Castellón, Spain, when he clocked a fast 27.37 minutes over 10 kilometers. That time is exactly equal to the course record of the Stadsloop, which was run by Geoffrey Mutai in 2013. However, there was no improvement this time due to the warm conditions.
It is suffering from the warm weather
It was therefore a struggle on the course for the 1300 runners over 10 and 5 kilometers in Appingedam. The 23-year-old winner On the longest distance, Toroitich mainly had to deal with his compatriot Joseph Kimeli Kimutai, who finished second in a time of 28.50. After the first round, both came through side by side, but then Toroitich distanced himself from his opponent in the final round.
Dutch record holder Richard Douma took bronze in 29.22 on his debut at the Stadsloop. De Zaankanter did not come close to his Dutch record of 28.08 minutes, which he ran in Valencia in 2020. He was therefore not in top form after a rest period.
Andrea Deelstra wins the women’s 10 kilometers
Due to the disappearance of the Kenyan Mirriam Chebet on the start list for the women, this became a Dutch get-together in terms of prizes. Andrea Deelstra, who grew up in Dwingeloo, won the 10 kilometers in 33.20. The athlete who currently lives in Wapenveld is completely back after a major operation. She referred Jacelyn Gruppen (33.50) from Stuifzand and member of the Groningen Team 4 Mijl to second place. Gruppen was still first after one lap, but could not maintain that high pace. The bronze went to Anne Luijten from Rijswijk in 33.57.
At the 5 kilometers Ben Stellingwerf from Onderdendam was in a class of his own. He won the match in 16.36. Then it was a long wait for the number two.