The Serbian capital Belgrade played host to the Cross Country World Championships on Saturday March 30. Kenya's Beatrice Chebet and Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo retained their titles. Kenya dominated almost all the events.
It's Kenya's razzia at the World Cross-Country Championships. Kenya collects 11 medals, including six golds. From the cadet to the senior races, the East African country took almost everything. Beatrice Chebet, the favorite in the senior women's race, held her ground. She retained her crown with a blistering time of 31:05. In fact, it was a Kenyan hat-trick. Lilian Rengeruk (31:08) and Margaret Kipkemboi (31:09) finished second and third respectively.
Beatrice Chebet turns on the jets and retains her title in Belgrade 🚀#WorldCrossCountry pic.twitter.com/X7LeuvlWre
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) March 30, 2024
Jacob Kiplimo won the men's race. Like Chebet, the Ugandan achieved the back-to-back with a time of 28mn09s. He finished well ahead of Ethiopia's Berihu Aregawi (28mn12s) and Kenya's Benson Kiplangat (28mn14s).
Kenya crowned in the mixed relay, Ethiopia treble in the U20s
Kenya left nothing but crumbs for the other countries. The Kenyans dominated the mixed relay. The Kenyan quartet of Cheruiyot, Nyambura, Munguti and Chepkirui won. Ethiopia settled for second place in 22:43, while Great Britain completed the podium.
All the glory goes to Uganda 👏
Jacob Kiplimo successfully defends his #WorldCrossCountry crown in Belgrade 🤩 pic.twitter.com/eYIrCkvJtU
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) March 30, 2024
Kenya also shone in the U20 races. Samuel Kibathi won the men's race in 22:40, ahead of Ethiopia's Mezgebu Sime (22:41) and his compatriot Matthew Kipruto (22:46).
However, it was Ethiopia who dominated the girls' race. The East African country even achieved a hat-trick. Marta Alemayo finished on top of the podium with a new championship record of 19:28. She beat her compatriots Asayech Ayichew (19mn32s) and Robe Dida (19mn38s).
