Jacob Kiplimo and Beatrice Chebet defend World Cross Country titles

© Copyright – 2024 – Athletics Illustrated

Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo and Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet repeat as gold medallists at the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia on Saturday.

Kiplimo worked with his competitors, then began to make his big move over the final lap. In 2023, Chebet was running in second place and only won when leader Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia collapsed metres from the finish line. This year, the Kenyan, like Kiplimo pulled away during that final lap for the win.

BACK-TO-BACK

🇰🇪's Beatrice Chebet successfully defends her #WorldCrossCountry title as Kenya sweeps the top 5 🤯 pic.twitter.com/v58mxZWcyC

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) March 30, 2024

Like 2023, a Kenyan won the U20 men’s race in Samuel Kibathi and an Ethiopian won the women’s U20 race. She was Marta Alemayo. All five team champions repeated. Ethiopia won the U20 women’s team title and Kenya claimed the other four (men’s and women’s senior, men’s U20, and mixed relay).

Even the temperatures were unseasonably high in Friendship Park at a high of 26C (80F). Gone were the stacks of tires, that made such a unique zig-zag segment to the latter part of each 2K lap in Bathurst.

The final 400m was flat and groomed, making for a very fast-looking finish in each race.

Senior men

Finishing in second place in the men’s race was Ethiopian Berihu Aregawi who finished three seconds back of Kiplimo. Kenyan Benson Kiplangat took third a further two seconds back. Kenyan men took third, fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth to win the team title. The top non-African was Spain’s Aarón Las Heras who finished in 17th position.

Uganda’s 🇺🇬 Jacob Kiplimo is the back-to-back World Cross Country CHAMPION after winning gold in Belgrade, Serbia. Incredible. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/fTBdHG7Tew

— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) March 30, 2024

Kiplimo finished the five-lap, approximately 10K race in the time of 28:09.

“It actually feels more exciting to successfully defend my title than to win the first one,” said Kiplimo. “But it was also tougher. I came here expecting I could win again, but the field was really strong. The pace was fast, the guys kept pushing it and there was still a big group out in front. It wasn’t until the final three kilometres that I felt I needed to move to the front.

“The course was fine, a little challenging with the obstacles,” he added. “It was a little tough running in the heat, but that wasn’t a major issue.

“I was hungry for medals after missing Budapest last year. I was in good shape, but then the injury happened and I had to get treatment, but I am back now. My goal this year is to do what Joshua Cheptegei did and win an Olympic gold. My main focus is the 10,000m, but I’m not sure yet if I want to double.”

Senior women

Beatrice Chebet led four other Kenyan women across the line, going first through fifth to decimate the team category. The 24-year-old bettered a powerful field. She broke away with a hard surge with just 400m to go leaving Lilian Kasait Rengeruk hanging on to second place. Rengeruk did take silver in 31:08, while Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi won bronze in 31:09.

Chebet stopped the clock at 31:05.

Beatrice Chebet turns on the jets and retains her title in Belgrade 🚀#WorldCrossCountry pic.twitter.com/X7LeuvlWre

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) March 30, 2024

The first non-African finisher was Norway’s Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal.

“We won the team title. That showed very strong teamwork,” said Chebet. “After trials, we trained together, we eat the same food. We were a team and being together helped us achieve the best result here. 

“It is not easy to come to a world championship and defend your title, there is a lot of pressure. My target was to be on the podium. I felt I was stronger with about 500m to go. The course was so good, the weather was good like in Kenya, very sunny, and the obstacles were not as hard.”

Results

Senior men

Senior Women