Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda is the new World Champion Cross Country after a heroic race in Aarhus, Denmark. With the victory he becomes the first ever athlete from Uganda to win the World Cross title. The talented Ugandan sought redemption after getting caught with an overheated engine just shy of victory during the last World Championships in Kampala back in 2017.
Fellow NN Running Team stronghold Geoffrey Kamworor finished 3rd after consecutive world titles the past two championships.
1. Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) – 31:40
2. Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) – 31:44
3. Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) – 31:55
“It is an awesome feeling winning here today. Since I missed it last time in 2017 I now reached my mission to return with the gold medal. It means a lot to me to be the first ever Ugandan to win this title. The course was very hard and difficult but I had a very strong preparation at home in Kampala where the terrain is very similar.
Hellen Obiri ensured the senior women’s title stayed in Kenyan arms. The world 5000m champion notably became the first woman in history to win senior world titles in indoors, outdoor and cross country. Such a significant feat, the only man to ever accomplish the same feat is the great Kenenisa Bekele.
1. Hellen Obiri (KEN) – 36:14
2. Dera Dida (ETH) – 36:16
3. Letesenbet Gidey (ETH) – 36:24
Aussie Recap
Open Men
Open men 10km results:
- 30th Brett Robinson V 33:34
- 39th Matt Ramsden W 33:56
- 56th Harry Summers V 34:23
- 63rd Jack Rayner V 34:33
- 95th Jack Bruce Q 35:32
With the last-minute withdrawal of our #1 hopeful Stewart McSweyn, Matt Ramsden was called up. Ramsden surprised a few finishing in 39th, not bad for his first world cross hit out. Brett Robinson was the first Aussie home in 30th place, adding to his collection of impressive performances at world cross (previous finishes of 28th and 29th).
Open Women
Open women 10km results:
- 26th Melissa Duncan V 38:47
- 29th Paige Campbell N 38:52
- 35th Emily Brichacek A 39:18
- 44th Marnie Ponton N 39:43
- 45th Leanne Pompeani A 39:46
- 69th Caitlin Adams S 40:42
Melissa Duncan proved she is really back to her best after a rough few years. Her 26th place is the best result by an Aussie since 2010.
“I had so much fun. You can’t go out too aggressively, you have to be relaxed and enjoy it and that is the focus.”
The Aussie women showed good depth with our last place Aussie finishing in 69th.
U20 Men
U20 men 8km results:
- 30th Sam Clifford T 26:25 – Highest place by an Aussie for 10 years
- 36th Jackson Sharp N 26:33
- 43rd Chekole Getenet Q 26:40
- 78th Oli Raimond N 27:55
- 85th Tommy Campbell Q 28:14
- 5 Liam Gorman N DNF
Sam Clifford has shown he is a serious talent to watch, finishing 30th in the best finish for an Aussie U20 in 10 years.
U20 Women
U20 women 6km results:
- 16th Lauren Carey N 22:02 – Highest place by an Aussie for 10 years
- 38th Lucinda Crouch Q 23:02
- 42nd Sarah Schiffmann N 23:11
- 72nd Abbey Caldwell V 24:12
- 80th Nikita Moore Q 24:32
Like Clifford, Lauren Carey was also the best placed Aussie U20 in 10 years with her 16th place finish.
End
Cover photo: 2019 World XC ©Getty Images
Going by Nic Bideau’s twitter, Ramsden was a call-up for Tiernan; McSweyn a late withdrawal due to illness.