On Sunday, 26th March 2017, the entire world drew attention to Kampala, Uganda because the capital city was hosting the 42nd edition of the IAAF World Cross Country championship.
As expected, Kenya and Ethiopia had a lion’s share of podium finishes with Uganda optimally using the home advantage to clinch the first ever World Cross Country gold medal when Jacob Kiplimo kicked powerfully to win the Juniors men event in 22 minutes and 22 seconds alike.
Kololo Ceremonial Independence Grounds hosted the event that was watched by a capacity crowd including the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the IAAF chief Lord Sebastian Coe.
Kawowo Sports was right on the ground from start to finish and captured the event in numerals.
1 – It was the first time ever that Uganda won a gold medal at the World Cross Country Championship. Jacob Kiplimo enjoyed the limelight when he won gold in the 8km Juniors’ men race in 22:22.
3 – Total number of medals won by Uganda at the IAAF World Cross Country, Kampala 2017. There was one gold and two bronze.
Three countries out of the 59 managed to win at least a bronze medal. These were Bahrain, Eritrea and Turkey
4 – Ethiopia won the most gold medals. Ethiopia and Kenya also won 4 silver apiece.
5 – Number of events held on the day. The Mixed relay, Juniors (Men and women), Seniors (Men and Women) as well as the mass run.
6 – Countries that managed to at least win one medal. Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Bahrain, Eritrea and Turkey each at least managed a podium finish.
8 – Total medals won by Horn of Africa nation, Ethiopia. Four of these were Gold and 4 Silver
10 – Highest number of medals won at the 2017 edition. Kenya won 3 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze.
16 – Official age registered by Jacob Kiplimo
18 – Number of Registered technical officials headed by the competition manager, Faustino Kiwa. He was assisted by Paul Okello. Peter Okot Omony was the technical manager, Nalis Bigingo the starter, Muhammed Abdallah the chief time keeper, Moses Twesigomwe (Chief Umpire) among others.
24 – Total medals won at the 2017 IAAF World Cross Country Championship in Kampala. Of these, Kenya had a lion’s share with 10. Ethiopia had eight, Uganda (3) whilst each of Bahrain, Eritrea and Turkey had one medal apiece.
33 – Highest number of athletes registered by any country at the event. Hosts Uganda had the highest number of participants in all the events.
42 – It was the 42nd edition of the World Cross Country Championship hosted in Kampala, Uganda.
53 – Number of countries that missed out on the medal podium. They returned home empty handed.
59 – Number of participating federations across the world
95 – Maximum number of points registered by any team at the event. Kenya scored 95 points, a difference of 19 from second placed Ethiopia.
104 – Number of participants in the individual juniors men and women event. This was the same number for the seniors women
106 – Number of participants in the individual Juniors men event
146 – Total number of participants in the seniors men event
557 – Total number of participants from the 59 countries that took part.
3000 – Amount of money in US Dollars won by the 6th placed individual in the seniors race
4000 – Prize money in US Dollars for the 3rd placed team at the event. This was the same amount won by the 4th placed team (Uganda) at the Mixed relays.
6000 – Amount of prize money in US Dollars for the third placed team in the mixed relay
5000 – Amount in US Dollars won by the 5th placed Individual in seniors event
7000 – Amount in US Dollars won by the 4th placed individual in seniors’ event
8000 – Amount in US Dollars won by the 5th place team in seniors’ catergory
10,000 – Amount in US Dollars won by the 3rd placed individual winner in seniors event
12,000 – Total amount in US Dollars won by the best mixed relay team (Team Kenya).
15,000 – Amount in US Dollars won by the 2nd place individual in the seniors’ event
30,000 – Amount in US Dollars won by the 1st placed individual in the individual seniors event.
40,000 – At least 40,000 fans thronged Kololo Ceremonial Grounds to watch the event live.
310,000 – The lump sum in US Dollars (at least Ug.shs 1.1 Billion) that was shared amongst the individual seniors winners and seniors teams plus the mixed relays teams.
2,000,000,000 – Over 2 billion people followed the event live on Television from the comfort of their homes, offices via the television and social media.
