Foreign runners dominated both the men’s and women’s races in the All-America City 10K in Edinburg, Tex., Sat., Feb. 1.

Kenyans swept the top three positions in the men’s race – Leonard Korir, 27, won in 29:05.1, Macdonald Ondara, 29, was second in 29:17.1 and Elija Muturi Karanja, 27, third in 29:28.1.

Fernando Cabada, 31, was the first American across the line – he ran 29:50 to finish fourth. Chris Barnicle of Massachusetts was the second American to finish as he clocked 29:54 to take fifth place.

Cabada, who was raised in Fresno, Calif., and now lives and trains in Boulder, Colo., has local ties to Edinburg since his grandparents grew up in that area. He said before Saturday’s race, “I think locals are always used to Africans always just dominating, and when someone like me comes along, I hope that I can inspire other kids. I hope I can be their superhero.”

Of course, it didn’t quite work out the way he might have hoped in the race, but Fernando Cabada certainly qualifies as a hero to American youngsters everywhere based on his past accomplishments. He lifted himself out of very difficult circumstances growing up in Fresno to become a world-class distance runner. He is the former U.S. 25K recordholder and the former world recordholder in the Double Road Race™.

The winner of the women’s race in this year’s All-America City 10K was Ethiopia’s Sheularse Alena Amare, who ran 33:49.9. Karolina Jarzynska of Poland was the runnerup in 34:10.0, and Caroline Jiptoo of Kenya finished third in 34:46.