World Cross Country Tallahassee: Faves Ngetich and Kiplimo Clearly, Australia takes Mixed Relay!

TALLAHASSEE (USA): Kenya topped the medal table at the 46th World Cross Country Championships in hot conditions in Tallahassee. In the earliest ever WA official championships (and third in USA), both Kenya and Ethiopia secured three gold medals, Kenya with four silver medals compared to Ethiopia’s two. Seven countries got medals, Africa 23 from them and by one Oceania, Europe, America and Asia. Agnes Ngetich and Jacob Kiplimo were clear winners of the respective senior races, whilst Australia were winners of the mixed relay with Olympic medallist Jess Hull the anchor runner. Kiplimo joins an illustrious group of athletes to have won three consecutive titles. Frankline Kibet of Kenya won the U20 men’s race whilst Ethiopian Marta Alemayo retained her U20 women’s title. Yann Schrub (11th) and Maria Forero (14th) were the leading European athletes in the two senior races, Forero stepping up from winking the U23 race at the European Cross Country Championships last month. At the end 412 athletes from 45 countries competed. Interesting course with beach sand, water pit, alligator hurdles and Everglades mud during a 2 km lap. The prize money was from US$30,000 for the senior individual gold (US$3000 for sixth), to US$20,000 (senior team) and US$12,000 (mixed relay per team). Next edition in 2028 is not having an host yet.  Event by event reviews

Senior women’s 10km: 10K WR holder Agnes Ngetich finished third and fourth at the last two World Championships and clearly won 42 seconds ahead of the next runner, second biggest winning margin (31:28). First ever women senior silver for Uganda as national champ Joy Cheptoyek was second (32:10) and top Ethiopian former U20 champ Senayet Getachew third in 32:13. Best non-African US Ednah Kurgat as 10th (33:28), best European Maria Forero as 14th (33:53) as Megan Keith was running most of the race within top 12 range but nearly collapsed at the end (25th), the same for Weini Kelati Frezghi who faded in last lap to 40th. Ethiopia won the teams by 13th time and Kenya edged Uganda by only 1 point for second.

Senior men’s 10km: Title defender and half marathon WR holder Jacob Kiplimo, after winning the Chicago Marathon, confirmed his top position and achieved a clear win for the third time in a row in 28:18 after speeding up in the last lap. The 18 seconds margin was the biggest from all 3 over Berihu Aregawi who was again 2nd (28:36) with best Kenyan Daniel Ebenyo third (28:45). Best European and non-African Thierry Ndikumwenayo as 8th (29:16), World champion Jimmy Gressier went over 3 runners in last lap and ended 15th (29:36). In the African team fight, Ethiopia got 11th win here over Kenya and Uganda. Top 3 separated by 9 points only.

Mixed relay 4x2km: Kenya as a favourite in the 5th staging of this event, did not win a medal. Australia with strong women Linden Hall and Olympic medalist Jessica Hull prevailed by 3 seconds (22:23) over France (22:26) as both beat African countries. Meshesha was stronger on last leg than Chepkirui and Ethiopia beat Kenya for bronze. Equaled record number of 15 teams competed (after 2023).

U20 women’s 6km: This was as predicted an Ethiopian battle. Marta Alemayo defended her title with 18:52 over team-mate Wosane Asefa 19:18 and Ugandan Charity Cherop 19:19. Cynthia Chepkirui led the Kenyan squad, but could be only 4th (19:22), for first time Kenyan did not win individual medal here and it was not a Ethiopian sweep. Japanese Yui Onotora as 14th was best non-African and Sweden´s Fanny Szalkai as 21st was best European. Ethiopia could not have a team, so Uganda won for first time ever over Kenya and Japan.

U20 men’s 8km: Total Kenyan control. Top 4 and so the best possible points in teams (10). But the most unpexcted winner was Frankline Kibet 23:18 over Trials winner Emmanuel Kiprono 23:20 and track World U20 champ Andrew Kiptoo Alamisi 23:28. Ethiopia had only one runner (Ayele Sewnet as 12th) as before him finished top non-African and best European, U20 champion Willem Renders from Belgium. Uganda over USA were the other team medalists.