Cross-country: Burundi sweeps the podium in Lidingö with two course records
Burundi put on a masterclass on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Lidingö, Sweden, during the TCS Lidingöloppet, the first stage of the 2026-2027 World Athletics Cross Country Tour. Egide Ntakarutimana won the men's 15-kilometer race in 44:36, and Francine Niyomukunzi won the women's 15-kilometer race in 51:25. According to World Athletics, both times are new course records.
In the men's race, the performance was as much a collective effort as an individual one. All three steps of the podium were occupied by Burundians: behind Ntakarutimana, Tharcisse Nizigiyimana took second place in 45:27, and Elie Sindayikengdera took third in 46:48. A complete sweep at an international season-opening race.
As for Francine Niyomukunzi, she left her opponents far behind. Swedish runner Johanna Bäcklund finished second in 55:27, more than four minutes after the Burundian, and her compatriot Smilla Szalkai finished third in 56:40.
Kenyans on the 30-kilometer podium
In the long-distance Lidingöloppet, the 30-kilometer race, African colors were represented by Kenya. Sylvia Mboga Medugu took second place in the women's category in 1:56:26, behind Sweden's Evelina Henriksson (1:53:28). According to Mozzart Sport, this four-time winner of the event finished in the same position as the previous year. In the men's race, William Nyarondia Morwabe finished third in 1:41:06, behind Swedes Ebba Tulu Chala (1:38:50) and David Nilsson (1:40:55). Morwabe was defending his title but was unable to retain it.
This start to the season highlights a reality well known to the world of cross-country: beyond the major continental athletics nations, Burundi regularly places its runners at the top of international circuits. Ntakarutimana and Niyomukunzi were among the favorites announced by World Athletics before the race, and they confirmed their status without hesitation.
The Cross Country Tour will continue in the coming months at other stages of the circuit, where Burundian, Kenyan, and Ethiopian athletes are once again expected to be at the forefront.
This article was written in French with the help of artificial intelligence from the sources cited below, then translated from French automatically. Read the original.
