Ruben Sanca receives his gold medal after winning the 5,000 meters at the Lusofonia Games in Gao, India.
Ruben Sanca Runs to Gold in the Lusofonia Games
1/24/2014 10:28:00 AM | Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
The Former River Hawk wins the 5,000 meters
GAO, India  (Jan. 24, 2014) – Former UMass Lowell distance runner Ruben Sanca won the gold medal in the 5,000 meters Friday morning, east coast time, at the Lusofonia Games in Gao, India.
Â
Sanca, a 2009 graduate running under the flag of Cape Verde, ran the 12½ laps in a time of 14-minutes 28.48-seconds in hot and humid conditions Friday evening local time. Countryman Euclides De Oliveira Varela finished second in a time of 14:29.91. Angola's Alexandre Joao finished third.
Â
The Lusofonia Games is a multi sport event bringing together competitors from various Portuguese speaking nations as well as several associate nations including, the host country for the 2014 games, India.
Â
"In that heat it was a tactical race," said Sanca's Coach UMass Lowell Track Coach Gary Gardner. "He executed the strategy pretty well."
Â
Sanca did not take the lead until there were some 600 meters left, about a lap and a half to go, and finished strong.
Â
"He's gotten better and better," said Gardner. "He's got good natural speed and he has built his strength over the years."
Â
A joyous Sanca was surrounded by teammates and wrapped himself the Cape Verde flag after crossing the finish line.
Â
Sanca's visit to the Lusofonia games is not yet over. He is expected to compete in the 10,000 meters on Sunday.
Â
Sanca is currently the student Affairs Business Manager at UMass Lowell. He  was a member of the UMass Lowell cross country and track and field teams from 2005 through 2010. He was a four time All American and represented Cape Verde in the 5,000 meters at the London 2012 Olympics.
Â
Sanca, a 2009 graduate running under the flag of Cape Verde, ran the 12½ laps in a time of 14-minutes 28.48-seconds in hot and humid conditions Friday evening local time. Countryman Euclides De Oliveira Varela finished second in a time of 14:29.91. Angola's Alexandre Joao finished third.
Â
The Lusofonia Games is a multi sport event bringing together competitors from various Portuguese speaking nations as well as several associate nations including, the host country for the 2014 games, India.
Â
"In that heat it was a tactical race," said Sanca's Coach UMass Lowell Track Coach Gary Gardner. "He executed the strategy pretty well."
Â
Sanca did not take the lead until there were some 600 meters left, about a lap and a half to go, and finished strong.
Â
"He's gotten better and better," said Gardner. "He's got good natural speed and he has built his strength over the years."
Â
A joyous Sanca was surrounded by teammates and wrapped himself the Cape Verde flag after crossing the finish line.
Â
Sanca's visit to the Lusofonia games is not yet over. He is expected to compete in the 10,000 meters on Sunday.
Â
Sanca is currently the student Affairs Business Manager at UMass Lowell. He  was a member of the UMass Lowell cross country and track and field teams from 2005 through 2010. He was a four time All American and represented Cape Verde in the 5,000 meters at the London 2012 Olympics.
Monday, May 11
Monday, May 11
Wednesday, March 25
Sunday, February 22
