by Larry Eder
NCAA XC, Division 1, photo by Kyle Terwillegar/USTFCCCA
This is a list of cross country events from around the world, compiled by Alfons Juck of EME News.
CROSS COUNTRY RACES
SORIA (ESP): At the 22nd Cross Internacional de Soria (EA Permit), the second big Spanish cross country event of the season, Uganda’s Timothy Toroitich successfully defended his title and Kenya’s Linet Masai regained the women’s title. Toroitich covered the 10km course in 29:42, sixteen seconds faster than his 2014 victory, to become the first athlete to win back to back titles here. He had a victory margin of six seconds, with Eritrea’s Goitom Kifle the runner-up in 29:48. Moses Kibet of Uganda beat Kifle in Burgos at last week’s Cross de Atapuerca, but this time the Ugandan was 4th in 30:23. In between the pair was Spain’s two time European Cross Country champion Alemayehu Bezabeh in a time of 29:53. He showed improved form from his outing in Burgos, where he was the second Spaniard across the line. The leading Spaniard in Burgos was Ayad Lamdassem, but this time he was fourth best. Javi Guerra (30:28) and Antonio Abadia (30:37) got the better of him on this occasion, placing 5th and 6th respectively. Linet Masai, who won here in 2009, took her second title in a time of 28:08 over the 8km course. The female Spanish contingent, which wasn’t as strong as in Burgos, was led by race runner-up Diana Martin in 28:26. Iris Fuentes Pila of Spain completed the podium with a time of 28:30. Zimbabwe’s Olivia Chitate was fourth in 28:42.
TILBURG (NED, Nov 22): European 1500 m champion Sifan Hassan won her third consecutive title at the 57th Warandeloop (EA Permit). Hassan separated herself from the field early in the race and went on to clock a course record of 27:07. Maureen Koster made it a Dutch 1-2, finishing half a minute back in 27:37. Belgium’s Euro u23 medallist Louise Carton was another six seconds back in third. Morocco’s Aïcha Bani finished fourth in 27:58. In the men’s race, Khalid Choukoud could not retain his title. The Dutch athlete had to settle for second (30:17), a position he knows very well at this race. Taking the honours this time was Richard Ringer of Germany in a time of 30:07 for the 10km. Ringer finished fourth here last year in 30:24. The final podium spot went to Belgium’s Euro u23 medallist Isaac Kimeli in 30:24.
VRBOVEC (CRO, Nov 22): Turkey won 5 out of 6 team titles at the Balkan CC Championships in Croatia. From 6 individual titles Turkey got the half three. Hasan Pak clocked 31:17 in the main men 10 km race ahead of Seref Dirli also of Turkey 31:32 and Marius Ionescu of Romania 31:39. In women 8 km Ancuta Bobocel of Romania won in 27:42 ahead of Serbian Sonja Stolic 27:49 and another Romanian Cristina Negru 27:55. The U23 winners were Dino Bosnjak of Croatia 24:19 (8 km) and Slovenian steeple specialist Marusa Mismas 20:46 (6 km). Turkey topped both junior races, among boys Ramazan Barbaros 18:04 (6 km) and among girls Semra Karaslan 13:36 (4 km). Apart of senior women (Romania) Turkey won all team competitions.
HYERES (FRA, Nov 22): British Stephanie Twell won the women 4.072 km race at the Cross International Hyères Méditerranée on the course of December European Championships. She was timed with 13:18 ahead of Italian talent Federica Del Buono 13:26 and Kenyan Susan Kipsang 13:42. Fourth Mercyline Jerono of Kenya 13:53 and fifth best French young Cecile Lejeune (17) in 14:00. After her win Twell said for Athletics Weekly she wants to attack a medal here at the European event next month. Italian last year junior European CC Champion Yemaneberhan Crippa won the junior race at 5.932 km in 17:59.
SANTRY (IRL, Nov 22): Fionnuala McCormack (née Britton) won her 15th Irish senior title by taking gold at the Irish National Cross Country Championships in Santry Demesne, the venue of the 2009 European Cross Country Championships. Lizzie Lee and Caroline Crowley joined the two time European Cross Country Champion on the podium after the 8 km. In the men’s 10 km race, Mick Clohisey finished on top 31:11, beating John Coghlan 31:27 (son of Eamonn) and defending champion Paul Pollock 31:33. Hope Saunders and Kevin Mulcaire won the junior titles, both retaining their titles at 4 and 6 km. Ciara Mageean, a medallist at the 2010 world juniors and 2009 world youths, dropped out of the senior women’s race.
AMORA (POR, Nov 22): Antonio Silva won the main senior races at the 26th edition of Corta-Mato Cidade de Amora CC race in 32:20. Second Nelson Cruz (32:25) and third Hugo Correia 32:48. In women category Susana Cunha won in 23:07 some 43 seconds ahead of Raquel Trabuco. The event was Portugal qualification for European CC Championships in France.
ALLONNES (FRA, Nov 22): Strong Ethiopian group ruled at the 51st Cross le Maine Libre here. Dera Dida won the women 6.4 km in 20:41 over Etagegn Woldu 20:44 and steeple World medalist Hiwot Ayalew 20:47. Fourth French European medalist Clemence Calvin 21:08. Fifth another Ethiopian Fitaw Bezabeh 21:19. Next French runners followed with Aurore Guerin 6th 21:27 and European CC Champion 2013 Sophie Duarte in her first race since March 21:35. Bahraini representative Aweke Ayelew was the best in men 9.39 km 27:46. He was followed by two Ethiopians Ashefani Weldegeorgis 27:52 and Girmay Weldegabriel 28:04. Fourth Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali 28:05 and fifth James Kangogo of Kenya 28:24. Best French Bryan Cantero was 6th 28:26.
DARMSTADT (GER, Nov 22): Hendrik Pfeiffer was the best German in the main men 9.1 km race at the 31st Cross in Darmstadt, qualifying event for European CC Championships. He clocked 28:01 and was overall 6th and 3rd in the U23 category. That should be his category in Hyeres in December. Top three were Africans, Dejene Gonfa (27:08) and Tola Belete Adere (27:08) both from Ethiopia and third Kenyan Patrick Ereng (27:18). Also to note comeback from injury for the miler Timo Benitz who was 11th (28:57). In women 6.7 km African dominance. Chaltu Kekabo (17) won in 23:20 ahead of Emebet Woldemekel (23:32) and Betty Chepkwony (23:38). Fourth best German Melina Trankle (23:42). Swiss Julien Wanders won the junior 6.7 km in 20:45 ahead of best German Patrick Karl (21:23). Third youth runner Markus Groger (21:24). In junior girls 4.4 km the best Franziska Reng in 14:50.
GUJAN MESTRAS (FRA, Nov 22): The 42nd Cross Sud Ouest had Ethiopian winners but French elite was competing for the positions in national team for the December European Championships. Haymanot Alew won the men 9.825 km in 27:49 over Florian Carvalho 28:00 as best French. Next followed two Moroccans Zakaria Boudad 28:04 and Jaouad Tougane 28:15. Fifth another French, the improved miler Morad Amdouni 28:17. In women 6.395 km Meskelem Amare clocked 20:21 in close situation over Goytetom Gebrselasie also 20:21. Two French followed with Jacqueline Gandar (belongs to U23 category) 20:32 and Martha Komu 21:03. Top 800 m runner Renelle Lamote was overall 10th (22:13).
WARENG (KEN, Nov 22): Favorite Alice Aprot who won the 10 000 m at African Games this September dominated in the women 8 km race at the Tuskys Wareng CC event, part of Kenyan series. Her time was 26:36 clearly ahead of Pascalina Jepkorir 27:18 and Nancy Chepkwemoi 27:36. Returing Pauline Korikwiang was fourth 27:44 ahead of marathon runner Jemima Sumgong 27:54. Familiar names followed with Lydia Rotich 6th 28:13, Judy Kiyeng 7th 28:21 and Georgina Rono 8th 28:23. Last year Commonwealth Games medalist Josphat Bett won the men 10 km in 30:29. Two seconds behind was Peter Limo 30:31. Junior winners were Peter Kipserem (8 km, 24:28) and Sandra Chebet (6 km, 20:38).
TOLEDO (ESP, Nov 22): Alessandra Aguilar won the 37th edition of Cross Nacional Trofeo Espada Toledana in women 7.4 km in 25:28 and defended her title from last year. Second Cristina Jordan 26:17. Roberto Alaiz topped men 9 km in 26:59 clearly over Antonio Cantos 27:18.
WINNECONNE (USA, Nov 21): US runners won the NCAA third division CC Championships. Ian LaMere in men category at 8 km 23:35 and Abrah Masterson women 6 km 21:23.
