Kenya won 2 team titles and 3 individual titles at the 2013 World Cross country championships.
Men’s Senior Race
Japheth Kipyegon Korir won the mens senior race which is the most prestigious event at these Cross country championships. He finished the race in 32:45, which was 6 seconds ahead of Imane Merga of Ethiopia who was the pre-race favourite and defending champion. Moses Ndiema Kipsiro of Uganda was 4th. However no other Kenyan finished in the top ten and Kenya finished 3rd overall in the team event behind Ethiopia and USA.
Women’s Senior Race
Emily Chebet won the race in 24:24 which was 3 seconds ahead of Hiyawot Ayalew of Ethiopia. The 27 year old Chebet chased down Ayalew over the last 200m with a devastating finishing kick to win the $30,000 prize money.
Six other Kenyans finished among the top 11. This enabled Kenya to win the team title in grand style, finishing 29 points ahead of second placed Ethiopia.
Men’s Junior Race
Leonard Barsoton finished second in the race, 4 seconds behind Hagos Gebrehiwet of Ethiopia. Kenya finished second in the team title, 3 points behind Ethiopia.
Women’s Junior Race.
Faith Kipyegon and Agnes Tirop ran neck and neck to finish 1-2. Six other Kenyans finished amongst the top 11 enabling Kenya to win the team title. The 19 year old Kipyegon retained the title she had won 2 years earlier. Racing in a snow covered surface with few patches of bare grass, The two Kenyans along with Ethiopia’s Alemitu Heroye had broken away from the rest of the pack before the two Kenyans surged ahead. Kipyegon showed her experience by timing her run perfectly to edge past the 17 year old Tirop
