 Kiplagat's fast finish saw her claim gold in Jordan
|
Florence Kiplagat produced a storming finish to win the women's World Cross Country Championship as Great Britain's Steph Twell finished well off the pace.
Linet Masai had a big lead entering the last lap but her Kenyan compatriot overhauled her on the final hill.
Meselech Melkamu was third with Twell finishing down in 38th place in Jordan.
The men's race was won by Gebre-egziabher Gebremariam of Ethiopia. Moses Kipsiro of Uganda was second with another Ethiopian, Tadese Tola, third.
World junior 1500m champion Twell tried to go with the pace but after drifting off the leading group towards the end of the second lap she rapidly went backwards.
Kenya's Masai then upped the pace and at two-thirds distance the only runners able to stay anywhere near her were two of the Ethiopian contingent.
Masai looked set for a commanding victory but Kiplagat had kept plenty in reserve and she launched an attack from well off the pace.
As the final lap wore on she closed right up on Masai and passed her on the tricky hill up to the finish to win in style.
The men's race saw the leading group stay together until well into the closing stages.
Like the women's race it was dominated by runners from Africa and six were in with a chance up the final hill, but it was the sprinting speed of Gebremariam that proved decisive.
No comments:
Post a Comment