by Alfonz Juck
Here’s a synopsis of one of the most popular parts of the sport, cross country. In the US, 49 of the 50 states in U.S., high school state meet have been completed, with the state of California coming up in one week. The FootLocker regional series will be held next weekend (3 of 4), the NXN regional events have been building and USATF Xc champs are soon coming. The NCAA cross country championships were held on November 17, and are the final act of the U.S. collegiate season.
CC RESULTS
VERONA (USA, Nov 17): In sub-zero temperatures at the NCAA Cross Country Championships at the University Ridge Golf Course in Wisconsin, Wisconsin’s Morgan McDonald from Australia won the men’s 10km title in 29:09 with Grant Fisher (Stanford) and Kenyan Edwin Kurgat (Iowa State) second and third in the same time. The women’s 6km was a more clear cut affair with Colorado’s Dani Jones winning in 19:43 from Eritrean Weini Kelati (New Mexico) in 19:46 and Australian Jessica Hull (Oregon) 19:51. Team titles for Northern Arizona on the men’s side and Colorado on the women’s side.
LEFFRINCKOUCKE (FRA, Nov 18): Two-time world U20 cross country champion Letensenbet Gidey from Ethiopia won the senior women’s 6.97km at the Cross de l’Acier in 25:25 (EA CC permit) ahead of Kenyans Eva Cherono (25:36) and Margaret Chelimo (25:46). Marie Bouchard was the top domestic finisher in sixth in 26:09 with Aurore Guerin eight in 26:30. There was an Ethiopian clean sweep in the senior men’s 9.53km with Solomon Berihu winning in 30:41 from Teklu Haftu (30:47) and Getnet Wale (30:48). Former world cross country champion Japheth Korir from Kenya was fifth in 30:57 and Quentin Tison was the leading French finisher in 15th in 33:00.
ALLONNES (FRA, Nov 18): Kenya’s Josphat Kipchirchir won the senior men’s 9.39km at the Cross le Main Libre in Allonnes in 27:00 by two seconds from Ethiopia’s Melese Birhan. European U23 cross country champion Jimmy Gressier was an excellent third in 27:15, one place ahead of world 3000m steeplechase silver medallist Soufiane El Bakkali from Morocco in 27:31. Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa (17:39) and Gete Alemayehu (17:40) took a one-two in the senior women’s 5.39km with Portugal’s Sara Moreira third in 17:49. Former European cross country champion Sophie Duarte was the top domestic finisher in fifth in 17:58. European champion at 10 000 m Morhad Amdouni won on 14th (Wednesday) the national 10 km in 28:56.
SORIA (ESP, Nov 18): World U20 cross country champion Jacob Kiplimo from Uganda defended his title in the Cross International de Soria (IAAF CC Permit), winning the senior men’s 10km in 30:11 by a comfortable margin from world U20 5000m champion Edward Zakayo from Kenya (30:33) and Timothy Toroitich (30:45). Antonia Abadia was the best of the Spaniards in sixth in 31:06, one second ahead of Juan Antonio Perez. Kenya’s Gloria Kite won the senior women’s 8km in 28:47 from Denmark’s Anna Emilie Moller (28:54) and Elena Loyo (29:11).
TOLEDO (ESP, Nov 18): Wins for David Palacio (27:51, 9km) and Gema Martin (26:12, 7.4km) at the Cross Nacional Espada Toledana.
NAMYSLOW (POL, Nov 17): Polish CC titles in the U23 category for Patrycja Kapala 21:11 in women 4.35 km and Dariusz Boratynski 24:37 at men 5.7 km.
CEDAR RAPIDS (USA, Nov 16): NAIA CC titles for Anna Shields (17:16 at 5 km) and Colin De Young (24:14 at 8 km).
DUDINCE (SVK, Nov 17): Slovak CC titles for Veronika Zrastakova (24:19 at 7 km) and marathon runner Tibor Sahajda (24:27 over 8 km) clearly ahead of Jozef Urban 25:38. 800 m runner Alexandra Stukova won the short 4 km in 14:17, among boys Michal Mojzis with 12:27.
LEVICO TERME (ITA, Nov 18): Winners of 8th Cross della Valsugana, Silvia Battisti 33:09 and Davide Raineri 29:53.
TOLEDO (ESP, Nov 17): In the 31st Toledo road walks wins at 5 km for Raquel Gonzalez 22:11 and Diego Garcia 20:26 ahead of Marc Tur 20:31.
MACHAKOS (KEN, Nov 17): Athletics Kenya CC series started with Julius Tanki winning the men 10 km in 30:27 ahead of Reuben Korir 31:13. Gloria Mbithe ended one lap early because was misled by an official, but was later awarded the win in women 10 km due to the fact she had 200m lead, informs Carole Fuchs. Second Mary Nyaruai 36:08 and third Mary Njau 36:27. U20 winners Leonard Bett at 8 km 23:51 and Emmaculate Anyango at 6 km 20:50.
