Victor Kipruto Kiprono's course error gifts Prague 10km win

Victor Kipruto Kiprono was on course for a dominant win at the Birell 10K Night Race in Prague on Saturday when, with the finish in sight, he followed a departing television vehicle off the marked track. The 26-year-old Kenyan had pulled clear of the field from 8km onwards and appeared headed for an untroubled victory. But as he approached the finishing straight, he mistook a lead vehicle exiting the course for his own route and veered off course. By the time he realised his error and rejoined, he had been passed by Rodrigue Kwizera and Owen Korir Kapkama, dropping from first to third.

Kwizera, a Burundi-born runner racing for Spain, crossed the line in 27:15 to take the win and improve the Spanish national record by 10 seconds. He said he was happy to race in Prague and satisfied with his time and the record, crediting the atmosphere and spectator support from the ninth kilometre onward. Kapkama was promoted to second in 27:16, with Kiprono third in 27:18. Filex Kibet Masai finished fourth in 27:19 and Santiago Catrofe fifth in 27:24.

RunCzech, the race organisers, explained two days later that at elite road races, support vehicles with timing clocks, TV cameras and photographers run ahead of leaders before exiting via designated ramps short of the finish. They said Kiprono ran too close to the television vehicle as he entered the finishing straight and, unable to see beyond it, followed it off course. Jana Moberly, RunCzech's elite athletes coordinator, said they spoke with Victor after the race, acknowledged his upset, and accepted his admission of error. Carlo Capalbo, president of the RunCzech organising committee, apologised in person, and Kiprono accepted the apology and promised to return next year to win.

Despite the apology, the result stands under World Athletics Technical Rule TR 55, which holds athletes personally responsible for completing the full marked course. Organisers confirmed the official order must reflect that rule regardless of circumstances, so Kwizera remains the winner. RunCzech confirmed Kiprono will still be paid as if he had won and said they have launched an immediate review of support vehicle exits, with improved measures promised for future races.

In the women's race, 19-year-old Ethiopian Chaltu Dida Diriba took control from halfway and won in 30:04. Her sister Robe Dida Diriba was second in 30:12, eight seconds behind. Kenya's Cynthia Chelangat Chepkwony took third in 30:23, ahead of Clare Chemtai Ndiwa in fourth at 30:39. Chaltu said she was satisfied with her time, close to her personal best, and praised the atmosphere and the city of Prague. Austria's Carina Reicht improved her national record by 23 seconds to finish in 31:56.

Elsewhere, Japan's Shunya Kikuchi broke his national record by eight seconds, clocking 28:07. Almost 9500 runners from 98 countries took part in the race, held in near-perfect conditions of 20°C and clear skies as part of the 29th Birell Grand Prix weekend in Prague.