US news
2002 Cross Country

IAAF World Cross Country Championships
Mar 29-30, 2003 at Swiss National Equestrian Center, Avenches, Switzerland

John's Diary - part 4
Day 2- more Kenya & Ethiopia

 


by John Nepolitan

MARCH 30 - Day 2 of the IAAF World XC Champs - Lausanne, Switzerland

If yesterday was looked upon as warm today was just plain hot. With temps
well into the 70's and races starting at 1:30, the weather was going to play
a factor.

MENS JR CHAMPIONSHIP - 8km(4.9 miles)

What seems to be a common theme of the World XC meet is that right from the
gun it was a dual meet between Kenya and Ethiopia. Each 800m seem to bring
a different runner to the front trying to push the pace. For those who do
not know, these races are taken out fast - first 400m of a 5 mile race in sub
60 is not uncommon. After a day dominated by Ethiopia the Kenyan team was
looking for some revenge and got it when Eliud Kiphoge blasted away from
Boniface Kiprop of Uganda over the last 300m to win in a time of 22:47. By
putting all 6 of its runners (6 start, 4 score in all races) in the top 9 from
the start, the Kenyan team walked away with the team title. As for the
Americans it would be a very difficult day at the race track. Former
Footlocker Champ (now at Notre Dame) Tim Moore was out nice early but seemed
to be affected by the heat and hard fast pace and looked to be struggling
home in 34th place. The US top finisher was William Nelson (Univ of
Colorado) who kept moving up throughout the race and finished 26th. The
final team place was 8th out of 20 full teams.

Sr Women Short Course (4km - 2.5 miles)

The Kenyan team continued the return to domination as Edith Masai held off
Werknesh Kidane by 1 sec (12:43) to lead the Kenyan women to the team title.
I was happy to see my friend Una English of Ireland out with the main group
early and hang on to finish in 16th place. The US team only placed 5
runners on the line and placed 13th out of 16 teams. The top US finisher
was Sarah Toland crossing the line 39th.

After a fast bite to eat (they had food stands out on the course not just in
the main stands) and a short rest in the shade (man it was hot out there),
it was time for the feature event of the weekend- the Sr Mens Long Course
12km(7.25 miles)

Sr Mens Long Course

Before these championships the Kenyan coach had boasted in the press that
Bekele (Ethiopia) would be made to hurt on Sat in the short course race and
unable to defend his long course title. Man was he way off. The Kenyans
and the Ethiopians went at it one more time flying right to the front and
pushing the pace. Different Kenyan runners were attacking and each time
Bekele would respond. In fact on one move going uphill not only bridged the
gap, but took the lead as if to say - is this all you got? The course was 7
loops so great to see the action of strike, counter strike. The team race
was all but over after 2 laps, but it was the individual crown the Kenyans
wanted. They will have to wait yet another year to claim that. With 2 laps
to go Bekele and teammate Gebre-egziab Gebremariam broke away and there
would be no catching Bekele. In the end Patrick Ivuti would run down
Gebremarian, but nobody was cathing Bekele. Crusing away to win by 13
seconds Bekele did for the 2nd year in a row what many felt wold be very
difficult for any man to do just once. Some were heard to say that his
effort yesterday was worth 12:55 for 5000m on the track and todays display
was worth sub 26:30 for 10,000m It is just a matter of time before the
10,000 world record is his. The US race was highlighted by an 11th place
finish by Meb Keflezighi. Out with the top group and putting himself in the
race, Meb made the USA proud. Others members of the team attacked and tried
moving up but were not as successful. The final team place was 7th out of
16 teams.

Tonight it is off to the meet reception then the long trip home tomorrow.

From: "John Nepolitan" <[email protected]>

World Cross Country Championships


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