Portuguese runner Samuel Barata made headlines this Sunday, smashing the national 10-kilometer record. He blazed through the distance in a remarkable 28 minutes flat. The race took place in Romania, where Ethiopia’s Khairi Bejiga claimed the top spot with an astonishing time of 26 minutes and 54 seconds.
Barata’s performance at the tRUNsylvania event in Brasov was truly outstanding. Not only did he finish 11th overall, but he was also the fastest non-African athlete in the entire field. It’s a testament to his sheer speed and determination on the track.
This new achievement trims a precious second off the previous best for the 10-kilometer run, which stood at 28 minutes and 1 second. That record was held by Isaac Nader, who set it just this past January. Nader is a well-known name in athletics, currently holding the title of 1,500-meter world champion. Barata himself is no stranger to breaking records, as he also holds the Portuguese national record for the half-marathon.