by Larry Eder
Lisabet Gidey won her second consecutive U20 World Cross Country title!
The U20 women’s race had 108 runners from 30 countries, with sixteen full teams. Gidey and nine other runners broke away from the pack early, with Gidey always near the front. The heat and humidity took its toll on the field, but Gidey persisted and her win, by a convincing 23 seconds, showed her level of fitness. Gidey won in 18:34.
In second was Ethiopian Hawi Feysa, with a time of 18:57. Kenyan Celliphene Chespol lead the Kenyan team, who finished second, with 20 points to Ethiopia’s 19 points. In third was Uganda with 63 points and Japan was fourth in 73 points.
The U.S. U20 women’s team was 12th of 16 teams, with a score of 212 points. US finishers were Michelle Magnani, 37, Logan Morris, 45, Aubrey Roberts, 56, Madison Fruchey, 74, Kristian Garcia, 78 and Megan Murray, 83.
The race conditions were challenging, and hence, the photo circulated of the athletes down at the finish.
The course was tough, with the fans close to the 2000 meter loop and the sounds of the fans everywhere. We listened to IAAF radio and the crowd could be heard each and every meter. What the U20 races also tell you is that many countries have some fine developing athletes. It also tells you which countries place value in developing young distance runners. With Lisabeth Gidey, and her Ethiopian country women, we see healthy distance running in Ethiopia for some time to come!
