Thierry Ndikumwenayo

Thierry Ndikumwenayo (born 26 March 1997) is a long-distance runner, most well known for his cross-country running results. Born in Burundi, he represents Spain internationally. He previously competed for his country of birth.

Biography Junior athlete (2012–2016) Ndikumwenayo was introduced to athletics in 2012 by a friend, who challenged him to a race. By 2014, as a 17-year-old, he won the silver medal in the boys' 3000 metres event at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics held in Nanjing, China. After that performance, he was invited to train in Spain as part of a project offering opportunities to Burundian and Sudanese runners. He subsequently became a member of Playas de Castellon athletics club, who paid for his accommodation.

2017–2021 Ndikumwenayo's 2017 season included his first taste of international cross country racing, placing 95th in the senior men's race at the 2017 IAAF World Cross Country Championships held in Kampala, Uganda. He also ran a then personal best 5000 m time at the Gala dei Casteilli in Bellinzona (13:25.55).

In 2018, Ndikumwenayo competed at his first world indoor championships. He went out in his 3000 m heat. He also competed at the ECCC Championships, winning the 5000 m and coming second over 3000 m for Playas de Castellon. This performance qualified him for the 2019 World Athletics Championships held in Doha, Qatar, but he did not finish his race in the 10,000 m.

His 2020 and 2021 seasons were both curtailed by the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant that he did not race outside of the Iberian Peninsula. During this period, he set a marginal PB over 5000 m with 13:25.30, and won the 2021 Almond Blossom Cross Country. In the latter part of 2021, however, he failed to display much form in cross country; his best place was 6th in the Cross de Atapuerca, and he came a disappointing 36th at the Cross Internacional de Italica, held in Santiponce, Sevilla. He came 11th in the 5000 m at the Memorial Van Damme (13:10.71), and competed in the Weltklasse Zurich Diamond League Final, but did not finish the race. His 2022 cross country season began with 3 successive victories in the Cross Internacional de Soria, Cross de Atapuerca and Cross de Italica, at about which time he gained Spanish citizenship.

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