Kenya: Nation Retains World X-Country Title

20 March 2011

Nairobi — Kenya retained its title at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Punta Umbria, Spain, winning three out of four team titles against their archrivals Ethiopia. Kenya won the team titles in the categories of junior men, senior women and senior men team titles.

Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon and Geoffrey Kipsang won the junior women and men races respectively in Punta Umbria, Spain to give the country a bright start in the event.

Perennial archrivals Ethiopia scooped the team title in the women’s race, while Kenya picked the team title in the men’s race.

Head of delegation Joseph Kinyua had earlier made a rallying call and asked his troops to go beyond the eight gold medals and pick all 12 medals on offer in the four race categories – junior men 8km, junior women 6km, senior men 12km and senior women 8km.

“We have to make sure we pick all the top three positions in the race. Last year we only missed three out of 12 medals on offer. It will not be easy this time round, but that is why it is called a competition. Everyone wants to win and Kenya must remain up there at the top,” said Kinyua.

Results:

Junior men

1 Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor (KEN)

2 Thomas Ayeko (UGA)

3 Patrick Mutunga Mwikya (KEN)

Junior women

1 Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon (KEN)

2 Genet Yalew (ETH)

3 Azemra Gebru (ETH)

Senior women

1 Vivian Jepkemoi Cheruiyot (KEN)

2 Linet Chepkwemoi Masai (KEN)

3 Shalane Flanagan (USA)

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