Dawit Seare won the men’s 5km world title at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen on Saturday, outkicking Jakob Ingebrigtsen to cross the line in an Eritrean national record of 12:56.
Another gear in the final metres
Early pace came from France’s Flavien Szot before Jimmy Gressier and Addisu Yihune drove the middle kilometres. Ingebrigtsen sat mid-pack, moving up to around seventh by 3km as Seare’s teenage teammate Saymon Amanuel led. Ethiopia’s Mezgebu Sime surged just before 4km, reached in about 10:20.
Seare took command shortly after, with Ingebrigtsen moving into second. With just over 200 metres remaining, the Norwegian struck — taking the lead and appearing to have timed his move perfectly. Then Seare found another gear.
With under 100 metres to go, the 21-year-old launched his attack and pulled clear. Ingebrigtsen, racing on his 26th birthday, was left lumbering from side to side, gulping air with a pained expression. He finished three seconds back in a Norwegian record of 12:59.
Three years from fourth to the top step
Seare had finished fourth at the inaugural World Road Running Championships in Riga three years earlier while still a teenager. His winning time was a massive breakthrough — more than 10 seconds faster than his previous track best of 13:07. Amanuel completed a double Eritrean podium in third with a personal best of 13:00.
After crossing the line, Seare dropped to his knees in a celebratory prayer. For Seare, the moment was quieter still: a young athlete stepping up, exactly when it counted, into a world champion.
