Dawit Seare claimed a surprise victory in the men’s 5-kilometer road race at the world running championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, outdueling pre-race favorite Jakob Ingebrigtsen in a dramatic final sprint. The 21-year-old Eritrean runner crossed the finish line in 12 minutes and 56 seconds, holding off a late charge from Norway’s Ingebrigtsen, who took second place in 12:59.
A Tactical Surge on the Streets of Copenhagen
The race unfolded at a rapid pace through the Danish capital on Saturday. Seare made his decisive move with roughly one kilometer remaining, surging ahead of the lead pack and building a gap of more than ten meters over Ingebrigtsen. The Norwegian contender had spent much of the race tucked safely inside the front group, though he struggled at times with his positioning.
Ingebrigtsen, who captured a European title in August and a 5.000 m victory the previous week following a recovery from an Achilles tendon injury, mounted a fierce comeback. He surged past a visibly straining Seare within the final stretch of the course. However, Ingebrigtsen ran out of energy just yards from the finish, allowing Seare to dig deep and reclaim the lead.
Podium Finishes and Notable Results
Behind the leading duo, another young Eritrean athlete reached the podium. Nineteen-year-old Saymon Amanuel finished third with a time of 13 minutes flat, securing a strong team showing for Eritrea.
French competitor Jimmy Gressier faced a difficult outing. The world 10.000 m champion in 2025 entered the race with high ambitions of reaching the podium or contending for the win. Supported early on by compatriot Flavien Szot, who acted as a pacemaker through the opening two kilometers, Gressier ultimately faded to a disappointing 14th place with a time of 13:17.
Women’s 5K Championship Highlights
In the women’s 5-kilometer event, Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw secured the world title with a winning time of 14 minutes and 41 seconds. Kenya’s Caroline Makandi Gitonga followed closely to claim second place in 14:48, while Australia’s Rose Davies rounded out the podium in third with a time of 14:50.
About the World Running Championships
The Copenhagen event marks the second edition of the World Running Championships, following the inaugural competition held in Riga in 2023. A planned 2025 edition in San Diego was previously canceled due to logistical and budgetary constraints. Action in Copenhagen continues on Sunday with the staging of the half marathon.
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