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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
"In that heat it was a tactical race," said Sanca's Coach UMass Lowell Track Coach Gary Gardner.  "He executed the strategy pretty well."
 
Sanca did not take the lead until there were some 600 meters left, about a lap and a half to go, and finished strong.
 
"He's gotten better and better," said Gardner.  "He's got good natural speed and he has built his strength over the years."
 
A joyous Sanca was surrounded by teammates and wrapped himself the Cape Verde flag after crossing the finish line.
 
Sanca's visit to the Lusofonia games is not yet over.  He is expected to compete in the 10,000 meters on Sunday.
 
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.