HANNUT, Belgium, Jan 21 – Edinah Jebitok notched up her third Gold-level victory in this season’s World Athletics Cross Country Tour after her win at the Energyvision CrossCup Hannut in Belgium on Sunday.
In freezing conditions with snow covering the 9km course, Jebitok cruised home in 31 minutes and one second while compatriot Pamela Kosgei was second in 31 minutes and 40 seconds.
Fellow Kenyans Kosgei and Faith Chepkoech did their best to stay with Jebitok in the first kilometre, but she soon made a break from her opponents and set off on a solo run.
With Jebitok pushing the pace out in front, the rest of the field soon became strung out behind her. Kosgei held on to second place throughout, but Britain’s Megan Keith reeled in Chepkoech after 20 minutes to move into third place.
Jebitok was away and clear, though, and crossed the line in 31:01. Kosgei was a comfortable runner-up in 31:40, eight seconds clear of Keith. Chepkoech placed fourth in 32:34.
In the men’s race, Kibet Kandie was the best placed Kenyan as he finished third with Rwandese Yves Nibumona winning and Mehrawi Mebratu of Ethiopia second.
At the half-way point, Nimubona, Mebrahtu and Kandie had broken away to form a lead trio. Further back, Urugray’s Santiago Catroffe had moved past Grimard into fourth place.
With 22 minutes on the clock, Mebrahtu moved into lead. Kandie had dropped back by this point, but Nimubona stayed on Mebrahtu’s shoulder.
At the bell, Kandie was no longer in contention for victory but still had a comfortable lead over the rest of the field. With less than two minutes of running remaining, Nimubona regained the lead. Mebrahtu stayed close behind, but Nimubona kicked once the finish line was in sight and won in 28:29.
Mebrahtu finished one second behind, while Kandie took third place in 28:42, just holding off a fast-finishing Catroffe by one second.
