Belgrade, Serbia | By Michael Wandati | Ugandan long-distance runner Jacob Kiplimo triumphed in the 45th edition of the World Cross Country held in Belgrade, Serbia on Saturday 30, March 2024.
Securing his second consecutive title at the prestigious event, Kiplimo, 23, emerged victorious in the 10km race, clocking in at 28 minutes and 09 seconds.
Kiplimo joins legends Kenenisa Bekele and Paul Tergat in defending the title, although he has still to go some to equal their achievements of winning five in a row.
Berihu Aregawi from Ethiopia closely followed, crossing the finish line just three seconds later, with a time of 28 minutes and 12 seconds.
Nicholas from Kenya claimed the third position, completing the race in 28 minutes and 14 seconds.
Meanwhile, Joshua Cheptegei, the current world record holder in both the 10,000 and 5,000 meters, finished sixth.
In a remarkable display of strength and speed, Kiplimo surged ahead of his competitors in the final kilometer, sprinting alone towards the finish line to clinch victory.
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“Although it wasn’t an easy competition, I want thank God for his Grace and also my coaches for designing for me a perfect training program that kept me in shape,” Kiplimo said.
He attributed his performance to the teammates like Cheptegei and others for a great team spirit executed in the game. “Without them, my victory was at stake,” he noted.
Dominic Otuchet, the President Uganda athletics Federation (UAF) attributes the great performance from Kiplimo to handwork and team spirit.
“As we earlier on anticipated, the results have proofed positive and now Kiplimo’s win is an inspiration to the mushrooming cross country hope,” said Otuchet.
