Kenyan distance runner Mercy Cherono held off the challenge of her Ethiopian rivals to win the women's 3000m final today at the 12th IAAF World Junior Championships.
Though Cherono came away with the victory, it took a season best of eight minutes, 58.07 seconds, to separate her from Ethiopian Bizunesh Urgesa.
She beat her season best of 9:00.2.
Cherono, however, led the race throughout, completing the first one-third (1000m) in 2:58.42 and past the two-third mark at 6:01.28.
She, however, was trailed in the home straight by Urgesa, who finished second in eight minutes, 58.90 seconds.
Another Ethiopian, Frethiwat Goshu, who was no match for the top two, was pulled to a personal best nine minutes, 03.76 seconds.
Cherono was very pleased with her performance. "I'm very happy for my result," she said.
"I expected a very good start, but not first place…I am very happy," she concluded.
Anthony Foster for the IAAF
