Sports · Running & Athletics · 4 hrs ago
Silas Kiptanui wins Pre-Nationals men’s race as Syracuse takes team title
Silas Kiptanui of Tulane won the men’s 8K at Pre-Nationals in Terre Haute, Indiana.
The sophomore finished in 23:17.4, earning his second cross-country win of the autumn season.
His late kick held off Wichita State’s Elkana Kipruto and Nicholas Kipchirchir, who finished second and third.
Kiptanui had also finished runner-up in the NCAA steeplechase in June.
Syracuse won the team race, beating Villanova 115-127, with Notre Dame third.
Syracuse had no runner in the top 14, but four runners placed 15th, 16th, 18th and 22nd, giving the team a strong combined score.
The result showed how a close group of finishers can secure a team win even without an individual near the front.
Silas Kiptanui won the men’s race at the Pre-Nationals cross-country meet in Terre Haute, Indiana.
He finished the 8K in 23:17.4, beating Elkana Kipruto by 1.4 seconds.
Syracuse won the team title with 115 points, ahead of Villanova with 127.
Syracuse’s Connor Ackley, Benne Anderson, Ben Gabelman and Louis Small finished 15th, 16th, 18th and 22nd.
The race took place on Friday, October 16, at LaVern Gibson.
- Who
- Silas Kiptanui won the individual race, and Syracuse won the team title.
- What
- Kiptanui won the men’s 8K race at the Pre-Nationals cross-country meet. Syracuse scored 115 points to take the team title.
- When
- Friday, October 16, 2026.
- Where
- LaVern Gibson in Terre Haute, Indiana.
- Why
- Syracuse’s four finishers placed 15th, 16th, 18th and 22nd, giving the team the winning score.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Pre-Nationals men’s race was held at LaVern Gibson in Terre Haute.
Kiptanui began a long kick to break away from the lead pack.
Kipruto and Kipchirchir were closing on Kiptanui, who held on to win by 1.4 seconds.
Syracuse won the team title with 115 points, ahead of Villanova’s 127.
- Individual winner
- Silas Kiptanui
- Winning time
- 23:17.4
- Race distance
- 8K
- Team champion
- Syracuse, 115 points
- Runner-up team
- Villanova, 127 points
- Venue
- LaVern Gibson, Terre Haute, Indiana