IAAF World Cross Country 2017 Kampala Final Table standings:
- Kenya – 95 Points
- Ethiopia – 76 Points
- Uganda – 32 Points
- Eritrea – 15 Points
- Bahrain – 13 Points
- United States of America – 11 Points
- Morocco – 8 Points
- Tanzania – 8 Points
- Japan – 7 Points
- Turkey – 6 Points
- Spain – 3 points
- Burundi – 2 Points
- South Africa – 2 Points
- Peru – 1 Point
Medal Table:
- Kenya – 10 Total (3 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze)
- Ethiopia – 8 Total (4 Gold, 4 Silver, 0 Bronze)
- Uganda – 3 Total (1 Gold, 2 Bronze)
- Bahrain – 1 Total (1 Bronze)
- Eritrea – 1 Total (1 Bronze)
- Turkey – 1 Total (1 Bronze)
Kenya dominated the 42nd edition of the IAAF World Cross Country championship held at the green lush of Kololo Ceremonial Independence grounds in the heart of Kampala.
Graced by the first citizen of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta, the races were run on an great course with risings, depressions under relative warm and humid conditions, watched by a great and passionate crowd.
The dominant side won the mixed relay as well as the senior individual and team women plus men events to amass 10 medals in total (3 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze).
Ethiopia took gold in the team event for Junior men as Uganda clinched gold in Junior men (individual).
104 and 106 athletes took part in the Women and Men U-20 events respectively.
Kenya won the mixed relay. Kenya’s mixed relay team had Asbel Kiprop (5:19), Wilfred Nzisa Mbithe (6:07), Bernard Kipkorir Koros (5:22) and Beatrice Chepkoech (5:58).
Uganda’s first ever gold medal at the IAAF Cross country:
16-year-old Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo claimed Uganda’s first ever gold medal in World Cross Country history.
Kiplimo told the media shortly after the medal presentation ceremony that he anticipated his victory;
Yes, yes, yes. I always thought I could win. It was a very good race. When I decided to break away going into the first lap, I knew I was going to win.
Ethiopia’s Amdework Walelegn who finished second in the Junior race cast the blame game on the Ugandan crowd.
I am happy but not satisfied with the second. The crowd made it very difficult for me to run according to my plan
Meanwhile, Richard Yator Kimunyan who took third in the Junior men race castigated the challenging course.
“The course was difficult although I could have done better but I miscalculated towards the end,” Kimunyan noted.
Ethiopia took gold in the Women Junior (individual event) as well as the Junior Men and Women team events.
Drama in seniors men individual race:
Geofrey Kipsang Kamworor of Kenya had the last laugh when he out paced Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegai with one lap to go.
Cheptegai finished a distant 30th but it was good enough to help team Uganda scoop bronze.
Uganda’s president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the first lady, Janet Museveni, who also doubles as the country’s Minister of Education and Sports graced the Sunday afternoon event.
Other dignitaries included the IAAF president Sebatisan Coe and his African based vice president Hamad Kalkaba, Minister of Presidency in charge of Kampala Betty Namisango Kamya were some of the other high profile personalities at Kololo.
A total of 557 athletes took part in the 2017 IAAF championship.
Prize Money:
A lump sum of $310,000 (sh1.1bn) was offered for the top performers. A total of $140,000 (sh498m) went to the top individual race winners in the two races.
In the the team events of both senior races another $140,000 was also on offer. Here $20,000 (sh71m) is up for grabs for each of the winning team.
There was also $30,000 for the inaugural relay race.
The winning team (Kenya) grabbed $12,000 (sh42.7m). The prize money for the mixed relay applied to the top four teams.
The mass race of non-professional athletes crowned the evening.
The next edition will be held in Denmark, 2019.
Winning Mixed Relay:
Kenya Team
Asbel Kiprop (M) – 5:19
Wilfred Nzisa Mbithe (W) – 6:07
Bernard Kipkorir Koros (M) – 5:22
Beatrice Chepkoech (W) – 5:58
Juniors Women (U-20)
1 – Letesenbet Gidey (Ethiopia) – 2:08
2 – Hawi Feysa (Ethiopia) – 2:08:01
3 – Celliphine Chepteek Chespol (Kenya) – 2:08:02
Juniors Men (U-20):
1 – Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda) – 22:40
2 – Amdework Walegelegn (Ethiopia) – 22:43
3 – Richard Yator Kimunyan (Kenya) – 22:52
Senior Women:
- Irene Chepet Cheptai (Kenya) – 31:57
- Alice Aprot Nawowuna (Kenya) – 32:01
- Lillian Kasait Rengerunk (Kenya) – 32:11
- Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi (Kenya) – 32:32
- Agnes Jebet Tirop (Kenya) – 32:49
- Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon (Kenya) – 32:49
- Ruth Jebet (Bahrain) – 32:49:52
- Belaynesh Oljira (Ethiopia) – 32:53
- Rose Chelimo (Bahrain) – 33:01
10 – Senbere Teferi (Ethiopia)
12- Mercyline Chelangat (Uganda) – 33:29
16- Racheal Zena Chebet (Uganda) 33:58
17- Stella Chesang (Uganda) – 34:27
24 – Dorren Chesang (Uganda) – 34:54
28 – Emily Chebet (Uganda) – 35:17
Senior Men:
1 – Geofrey Kipsang Kamworor (Kenya) – 28:24
2 – Leonard Kiplimo Bartsoton (Kenya)
3 – Abadi Hadis (Ethiopia)
Team Events:
Women Senior:
- Kenya (Gold)
- Ethiopia (Silver)
- Bahrain (Bronze)
Men Senior:
- Kenya (Gold)
- Ethiopia (Silver)
Junior Women:
- Ethiopia (Gold)
- Kenya (Silver)
- Uganda (Bronze)
Junior Men:
- Ethiopia (Gold)
- Kenya (Silver)
- Uganda (Bronze)
