Kenya dominates men U-20 World Cross Country
Kenya emerged victorious in the under-20 men’s race at the World Cross Country Championships held in Bathurst, Australia.
The Kenyan team achieved a one-two victory as Ishmael Kipkurui crossed the finish line in 24:29 minutes, followed closely by teammate Reynold Cheruiyot. The win was by no means easy, as the race was fiercely contested, with Ethiopian Boki Diriba coming in third place.
Kipkurui, who won the Kenyan trial race before the World Cross Country Championships, pulled away in the final stretch of the 8km race, zig-zagging through the tyre section before powering through the downhill finish to take the gold medal. Cheruiyot, who is the reigning world under-20 1500m champion, finished just a fraction of a second behind his teammate.
The under-20 men’s race saw runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda claim the top 15 places.
However, the United States and Australia also made their mark, with Leo Young of the United States coming in 16th place, and Archie Noakes of Australia finishing in 17th place. British athlete Ed Bird led his team home in 18th place, while teammate Jacob Deacon was 26th, Luke Birdseye 28th, and Sam Mills 49th.
The victory in the under-20 men’s race adds to Kenya’s impressive performance in the under-20 women’s race earlier in the day, where Pamela Kosgei claimed third place, and Faith Cherotich finished in fourth place, leading their team to the silver medal.