Buster best of the Australians at world cross country

 

African nations have this evening dominated the IAAF world cross country championships in Punta Umbria (ESP), with three-time Olympian Craig Mottram leading the Australian charge by placing 23^rd in the men’s senior race (12km).

Heading to the start line without Collis Birmingham, who as a result of a sore achilles was forced to withdraw, Mottram clocked 35:33 to be the first in green and gold across the line as the men’s senior team placed 11^th overall.

His first world championship meet since the 2008 world cross country championships in Edinburgh (SCO), Mottram’s performance marks a burgeoning return to competition for the distance icon after he won the silver medal in the national 5000m championship at the IAAF Melbourne Track Classic three weeks ago.

“Tonight’s run is another step forward for Craig as he makes his return and that is great to see,” Tim O’Shaughnessy, Athletics Australia National Distance Coordinator, said.

“He moved through the field really well across those first three or four laps and to come away with the best Australian senior result is a sure fire sign of hopefully things to come.”

Clocking 36:06, Commonwealth Games representative David McNeill was next, with national 5000m champion Ben St Lawrence (68^th, 36:49) and Liam Adams (82^nd, 37:29) shortly thereafter. Clint Perrett withdrew from the race in the third of six two kilometre laps.

Imana Marga (ETH, 33:50) was first across the line and joined on the podium by Paul Tanui (second, 33:52) and Vincent Chepkok (third, 33:53), with the Kenyan duo heading home with a gold medal from the teams event also.

In the senior women’s race (8km), Lara Tamsett was the best placed Australian in 29^th. Clocking 26:48, the now five-time world cross country championships representative was followed home by national 10,000m champion Eloise Wellings (40^th, 27.16), Flame athlete Kaila McKnight (68^th, 27:59), 2010 Australian cross country champion Jess Trengove (70^th, 28:02) and two-time world cross country 

championships medallist Anna Thompson (76^th, 28:19).

Kenyan Vivian Cheriuyot (24:58) won the individual gold medal, and joined her team mates Linet Kasai, Priscah Cherono and Pauline Korikwiang for first in the team event ahead of Ethiopia and America.

“The world cross is a very tough event, you need to be exceptionally good to be competitive with the lead packs,” O’Shaughnessy continued.

“Africa were also going to be dominant so that’s not something unexpected and for our guys this is a learning curve for what it takes to be at the top.”

Meanwhile in the junior events, it was Celia Sullohern flying the Australian flag for 21^st place in the junior women’s event (6km). Clocking 20:20, Sullohern, who hails from New South Wales, was edged out by Kenyan Faith Kipyegon (first, 18:53) and Ethiopians Genet Yalew (second, 18:54) and Azemra Gebru (third, 18:54).

Ethan Heywood (40^th, 24:36) was the first Australian to cross the line in the junior men’s race (8km) just ahead of team mate Glen Yarham (41^st, 24:37). Rounding out Australia’s team of four, who placed ninth overall in the team event, were Hugh Williams (65^th, 25:26) and Joshua Johnson (75^th, 25:43).

Junior men’s gold went to Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor (22:21) of Kenya, with Ugandan Thomas Ayeko (UGA, 22:27) taking home the silver and Patrick Mwiyka (KEN, 22.32) rounding out the top three.

To download and view complete results, please click here.

ENDS