Beatrice Chebet retains Cross Country title in Spain as Kiplimo dazzles
30th October 2023
Kenya's Edinah Jebitok was third with Ronald Kwemoi finishing behind Kiplimo.
![Beatrice Chebet. PHOTO| World Athletics](https://www.sportpesanews.com/images/large/beatrice_chebet__photo__world_athletics_3fbb12031f.jpg)
- Chebet lived upto the expectations as she retained her title in the 8km women's race.
- She took commanc of the race right from the start and went on to win the race.
- In the men's 9km, Uganda's world half marathon record-holder Jacob Kiplimo also achieved his second Atapuerca win following his win on Sunday.
World cross-country champion Beatrice Chebet achieved a commanding win at the Cross Internacional de Atapuerca, the second Gold standard meeting in this season's World Athletics Cross Country Tour, on Sunday (29).
With the races held under tough weather conditions – with
gusts of wind of up to 45kph and rain, Kenya's world 5000m bronze medallist
Chebet lived upto the expectations as she retained her title while Uganda's
world half marathon record-holder Jacob Kiplimo also achieved his second
Atapuerca win following his triumph in 2018.
Right from the start of the women's 8km contest, Chebet took
command with fellow Kenyans Edinah Jebitok and Lucy Mawia for company. The
latter soon lost ground and was caught by Uganda's Sarah Chelangat by the end
of the opening kilometre.
ALSO READ: Sebastian Sawe reveals 2024 plans, introduces Ugandan athlete who mentored him
Shortly after the first 2km lap, covered in 6:06, leading
duo Chebet and Jebitok slowed down slightly and were joined by Chelangat.
Ethiopia's Likina Amebaw, winner in Amorebieta last weekend, had started
conservatively but also worked her way into the leading group with the clock
reading 9:35.
Following a second lap of 6:11, the lead quartet was 12
seconds ahead of Mawia, herself well clear of Spain's Majida Maayouf and
British steeplechase specialist Aimee Pratt and her compatriot Megan Keith, the
European U23 5000m champion.
The key movement came about half a kilometre before the bell
when Chebet effortlessly broke away from her opponents and began to build a
sizeable advantage in just a few strides.
ALSO READ: FKFPL Wrap: Ingwe finally see the light as Gor Mahia struggle
At the beginning of the closing 2km circuit, Chebet led by
three seconds from Amebaw, herself another three seconds ahead of Chelangat
while Jebitok was eight seconds behind Chebet in fourth.
Chebet extended her lead throughout the last lap while
Amebaw started to struggle and was soon overtaken by Chelangat and Jebitok.
Chebet crossed the line 15 seconds clear of Chelangat, while Jebitok completed
a quality podium another eight seconds in arrears but well ahead of a fading
Amebaw.
Further back, the fast-finishing Keith overtook Mawia on the
final lap to cross the finish line in fifth.
Chebet expressed her satisfaction having managed
back-to-back titles in Atapuerca and confirmed her next appearance will be in
Seville for the 'Cross internacional de Itálica' on 12 November.
Click
this link to place your bet on the Lazio vs Fiorentina game
Kiplimo destroys opposition
Kenya's world U20 1500m record-holder Ronald Kwemoi was the
early leader of the men’s 9km race. The 28-year-old was followed by Spain’s
world steeplechase finalist Daniel Arce in the early stages and they built a
40-metre lead over Kiplimo, who calmly led the chase pack.
With 5:30 on the clock, Kiplimo had reeled in the Spaniard
and then caught Kwemoi after the third kilometre. Kiplimo – who was racing for
the first time since before the World Championships, which he was forced to
miss through injury – positioned himself on Kwemoi's shoulder as the cadence
slowed.
Eritrea's Merhawi Mebrahtu took advantage of the slower pace
and joined the leaders, but following a 5:55 clocking for the second lap, the
world U20 5000n silver medalist began to lose ground and he was soon overtaken
by Burundi's Rodrigue Kwizera, last year's World Athletics Cross Country Tour
victor.
ALSO READ: Kipchoge’s net worth, world record, house, family
Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist Kiplimo increased his pace halfway
through the penultimate lap, which he covered in 5:40, and immediately opened
up a gap on his rivals. At the bell, the 22-year-old had a lead of 13 seconds
ahead of Kwemoi and Kwizera. The Burundian desperately tried to get rid of
Kwemoi on the final lap to avoid a sprint finish but the Kenyan managed to
remain tucked behind him.
With a last lap of 5:38, Kiplimo extended his lead and
eventually won by 15 seconds. In a thrilling sprint finish, Kwemoi got the
better of Kwizera while Celestin Ndikumana, the Amorebieta victor last weekend,
finished fourth in a tight finish with Uganda's Leonard Chemutai and Israel's
Tadesse Getahon.
Kiplimo confirmed his next outing will be at the 7 Hills Run
in Nijmegen on 19 November.
Emeterio Valiente for World Athletics
Leading results
Women (8km)
1 Beatrice Chebet (KEN) 25:21
2 Sarah Chelangat (UGA) 25:36
3 Edinah Jebitok (KEN) 25:44
4 Likina Amebaw (ETH) 26:06
5 Megan Keith (GBR) 26:39
6 Lucy Mawia (KEN) 26:54
7 Majida Maayouf (ESP) 27:07
8 Lemlem Nibret (ESP) 27:13
9 Ikram Ouaziz (MOR) 27:45
10 Marta García (ESP) 28:05
Men (9km)
1 Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 26:00
2 Ronald Kwemoi (KEN) 26:15
3 Rodrigue Kwizera (BUR) 26:16
4 Celestin Ndikumana (BUR) 26:47
5 Leonard Chemutai (UGA) 26:48
6 Tadesse Getahon (ISR) 26:48
7 Nassim Hassaous (ESP) 27:00
8 Abdessadam Oukhelfen (ESP) 27:06
9 Merhawi Mebrahtu (ERI) 27:08
10 Sergio Paniagua (ESP) 27:17