by Alfonz Juck
Hellen Obiri leads Faith Kipyegon, photo by PhotoRun.net
Obiri beats Kipyegon
SAN GIORGIO SU LEGNANO (ITA, Jan 6): Olympic 5000 m silver medallist Hellen Obiri defeated Olympic 1500 m champion Faith Kipyegon at the Campaccio Cross Country (IAAF CC Permit). Obiri won the senior women’s race in 18:33 by three seconds from Kipyegon with reigning world cross country champion Agnes Tirop third in 18:56 to make it a Kenyan sweep. Ethiopia’s Gelete Burka was fourth in 19:02 with Sara Dossena the top Italian finisher in seventh in 20:33. Muktar Edris (28:54) and Imane Merga (28:55) led an Ethiopian one-two in the men’s race with Kenya’s Jairus Birech third in 28:59. Olympic steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto finished sixth in 29:20 with Yemaneberhan Crippa the top home finisher in eighth in 29:48.
