Habtom Samuel Wins Second NCAA 10K Title in 27:51.31
Habtom Samuel won the NCAA men's 10,000-meter final on Wednesday night in 27:51.31, taking his second NCAA 10K title after a late surge over the final two laps. The New Mexico junior turned a measured race into another championship, adding to a season that already included titles in cross country and the indoor 5K.
Samuel’s late move
Samuel led most of the race before easing up with six laps left, then kicked hard over the final 800 meters after taking a risk that he later described in plain terms: "I know it was risky," and "but I’m really glad it worked out." He said, "I had to just get some energy, save some energy for the bell lap," then added, "And, yeah — kick hard the last 800 (meters)."
He also explained the choice not to keep pressing while he was in front: "I said, ‘no, I’m not gonna take (these) guys on my shoulder until the last lap. (I wanted) to get a little (recovery), wait for the other group to join and get some help." That decision held up through the final stretch, where he still had enough to finish first in 27:51.31.
Kipruto and the chase
Louisville’s Elsingi Kipruto closed fastest among the pursuers but still finished second in 27:54.04, just under three seconds behind Samuel. Arkansas’ Ernest Cheruiyot placed third in 27:58.62, while Oklahoma State’s Denis Kipngetich and Alabama’s Dismus Lokira followed in fourth and fifth at 28:02.24 and 28:08.49.
Samuel’s win fits a rare run for one athlete in one academic year. He won an NCAA individual cross country national championship in November, then an indoor 5K national championship in March, and now the outdoor 10K title he had also won in 2024.
New Mexico’s 10K streak
The result also kept New Mexico in control of the event. A New Mexico runner has won the last three NCAA men’s 10K titles, and Samuel’s finish extended that line with the same school, same race, and another front-running performance that had to survive a late slowdown.
New Mexico had another scorer in the field as well. Evans Kiplagat placed 24th overall and earned All-American honorable mention, giving the Lobos a second name on the final results list even though Samuel carried the headline win.
For Samuel, the immediate takeaway is simple: he is no longer a one-off champion at 10,000 meters. With two NCAA 10K titles, plus the November cross country crown and the March indoor 5K title, he leaves the final with a season line that already sits in rare company.
