Kenya rampant at World XC
Ebuya wins for Kenya - at last!
I am afraid that a weekend elsewhere, with no online connection meant that the MST World cross country coverage didn’t materialise! Good job then that the likes of Athletics Weekly’s Jason Henderson were on the ground in Poland top bring us some to coverage…
What was apparent from this weekend’s racing was that the African Kings are back. 11 years of hurt for the once-dominant nation of Kenya were ended as form-man Joseph Ebuya galloped away from a world-class field to end the drought in this afternoon’s mens race.
The weekend saw something almost unmatched in previous times, that of a Kenyan ‘clean sweep’ at the Championships – winning all four individual and team titles over the weekend. The investment the Athletics Kenya has made both physically and financially has obviously paid off, culminating in the one that they hold most dear, that of the men’s title.
Cherono sets the record straight – Women’s Junior race report
Mercy Cherono said she thought that the selection of Bydgoszcz for the World Cross Country Championships would be a favourable omen for her. It was here that the 18-year-old Kenyan won the 3000 metres at the 2008 World Junior Championships.
Front running pays off for Ndiku – Men’s Junior race report
Javelin throwing’s loss is distance running’s gain because Caleb Ndiku chose not to follow in his father’s David’s career as a thrower. That decision was further justified when he regained the world title for Kenya.
Chebet’s strong finish prevails – Women’s Senior race report
For most people, déjà vu is a feeling, an impression that something that is happening to you has happened before. For Linet Masai, when it comes to the World Cross Country Championships anyway, déjà vu is reality. Amman 2009 and Bydgoszcz 2010 are about as alike as chalk and cheese, different weather, different course, different culture.
Joseph Ebuya ends Kenyan draught – Men’s Senior race report
As the 136 starters from 39 countries set out for the race we already knew it was Kenya’s day with six out of six golds so far, while Ethiopia could point to three team silvers and a solitary individual bronze. Within 33 minutes, six Kenyan golds became eight and Joseph Ebuya brought the individual title back to his country for the first time since Paul Tergat won in Belfast 1999.
