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Kiplagat commands the heights – Amman 2009

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:00:00 GMT

29 March 2009 – Amman, Jordan - Just as Linet Masai was perhaps savouring the prospect of being the woman to break a 15-year drought of Kenyan wins in the long-race at the World Cross Country championships, her teammate Florence Kiplagat burst past her on the grueling final hill to take the championships gold medal.

With brother and Gebrselassie as inspiration, Abshero rises in the ranks

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 10:40:00 GMT

29 March 2009 - Amman, Jordan - Young boys tend to look up to their older brothers and Ayele Abshero was no different. Tessema Abshero was born four years before Ayele and was among Ethiopia’s best young Cross Country runners before developing into a 2:08 marathoner.

Gebremariam's final burst secures men's senior prize for Ethiopia - Amman 2009

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 22:00:00 GMT

28 March 2009 - Amman, Jordan - After one of the most thrilling finishes in the history of the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, Ethiopia’s Gebre Gebremariam took the Senior Men’s 12km title at Bisharat Golf Club here today. It marked a stunning comeback for the 24-year-old father-of-two whose string of World Cross individual medals from 2002 to 2004 had been followed by four fallow years.

Florence Kiplagat ends Kenya's long wait for another senior women's title - Amman 2009

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:45:00 GMT

28 March 2009 - Amman, Jordan - Florence Kiplagat did what many undoubtedly felt like doing when she won the senior women’s race here, she fainted.

Genzebe keeps the Dibaba family at the top of the world - Amman 2009

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:15:00 GMT

28 March 2009 - Amman, Jordan - Genzebe Dibaba imposed herself on a tough course and tough opposition to take her second junior women’s World Cross Country title.

Destination Amman

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:00:00 GMT

28 March 2009 - Amman, Jordan - Last October when launching their promotion of 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships, the patron of the Local Organising Committee, His Royal Highness Prince Feisal Al Hussein, stated that by hosting the championships he hoped to further enhance the position of the Kingdom as a leading sporting and leisure destination.

Senior Men’s Race Report – Amman 2009

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Abshero reaches the top step of the podium this time - Amman 2009

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:30:00 GMT

28 March 2009 - Amman, Jordan – Digging deep into his reserves up the final climb towards the finish, Ethiopia’s Ayele Abshero wasn’t going to settle for a second successive silver medal at the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships at the Bisharat Golf Club here today. And Abshero’s strength duly saw him go one better than he had in Edinburgh last year as he took the gold from Titus Mbishei (Kenya) and Moses Kibet (Uganda).

RACE REPORTS - Amman 2009

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:00:00 GMT

28 March 2009 - Amman, Jordan - Summaries of the four races - Men's Senior, Men's Junior, Women's Senior, and Women's Junior - of this afternoon's 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships, Amman, Jordan (Sat 28 March), are available in the Event Reports section of our Amman 2009 site.

START LISTS, BIOGRAPHIES & EVENT REPORTS – Amman 2009

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 14:00:00 GMT

28 March 2009 - Amman, Jordan - The Start Lists and Athlete Biographies for the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships, Amman, Jordan (Sat 28 March), are available, and at the conclusion of each race, event reports will follow.

Senior Women’s Race Report - Amman 2009

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Amman, Jordan - Florence Kiplagat did what many undoubtedly felt like doing when she won the senior women’s race here, she fainted.

Junior Men’s Race Report – Amman 2009

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 12:30:00 GMT

Amman, Jordan – Digging deep into his reserves up the final climb towards the finish, Ethiopia’s Ayele Abshero wasn’t going to settle for a second successive silver medal at the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships at the Bisharat Golf Club here today. And Abshero’s strength duly saw him go one better than he had in Edinburgh last year as he took the gold from Titus Mbishei (Kenya) and Moses Kibet (Uganda).

Junior Women’s Race Report – Amman 2009

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 12:00:00 GMT

28 March 2009 - Amman, Jordan - Genzebe Dibaba imposed herself on a tough course and tough opposition to take her second junior women’s World Cross Country title.

RACE REPORTS - Amman 2009

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Race reports will be published in the section after the conclusion of each race on 28 March 2009

IAAF Press Conference Highlights - Amman 2009

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:32:00 GMT

27 March, 2009 - Amman, Jordan – His Royal Highness Prince Feisal Al Hussein, the President of the Jordan Olympic Committee and Patron of the Local Organising Committee for the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships, told an eve-of-championships press conference here today that he was looking forward to “a truly memorable” occasion tomorrow.

With incentives and high morale, Kenya sends 'best team ever' to Amman

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:21:00 GMT

27 March 2009 - Embu, Kenya - From a trickle to a flood – that’s just how incentives have been flowing in for Kenya’s team to the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Amman.

Amman 2009 – ENTRY LIST under the spotlight

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:00:00 GMT

26 March 2009 - Amman, Jordan – Though the official Start List for the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships, Amman, Jordan (Sat 28 March) will not be finally confirmed until after the Technical Meeting on Friday, the Entry List has been available since Tuesday (24).

After major overhaul, Mosop’s engine is menacingly revving-up ahead of Amman 2009

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:00:00 GMT

26 March 2009 - Kenyans vividly remember him for pushing Eritrea’s Zersenay Tadese all the way at the 35th IAAF World Cross Country Championships’ senior men’s race at the Mombasa Golf Club.

Further injury blow for Ethiopia - Tariku Bekele out of Amman 2009

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:00:00 GMT

26 March 2009 - Amman, Jordan - World Indoor 3000m champion Tariku Bekele has pulled out of the Ethiopian squad for the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Amman, Jordan after sustaining a training ground injury.

A runner by default, Kiplagat now targets the ultimate prize - Amman 2009

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:00:00 GMT

25 March 2009 - Embu, Kenya - After a hard day’s speed work training at the Embu Municipal Stadium on a hot Tuesday afternoon under vocal head coach Julius Kirwa, Florence Kiplagat gingerly makes her way to the Kenyan cross country team’s bus and eases into the seat next to Moses Mosop.

PREVIEW - MEN’s Races - WXC AMMAN 2009

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:00:00 GMT

24 March 2009 - Amman, Jordan - There will be a refreshing change in theme to the senior men’s race at the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships on the Bisharat Golf Course in Amman, Jordan, on Saturday (28 March). For the first time since 2001, Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele will not be the centre of attention. Either Eritrea’s Zersenay Tadese will win or there will be a new name on the roll of honour.

PREVIEW - WOMEN’s Races - WXC AMMAN 2009

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:00:00 GMT

24 March 2009 - Amman, Jordan - How refreshing to come to a major championship without a strong presumption as to who the winner will be.

Kipsiro leads quality Ugandan line-up for Amman

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:00:00 GMT

24 March 2009 - Kampala, Uganda - Uganda is banking on Beijing Olympic 5000m fourth placer Moses Kipsiro to head their challenge at the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Amman, Jordan on 28 March 2009.

World XC team contests, a truly global battle – Amman 2009

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:00:00 GMT

19 March 2009 - Monte-Carlo - The team contests in Amman, Jordan at the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships will be just as keenly fought as the battle for individual titles in the four races which make up the programme on Saturday 28 March.

World 1500m champion Jamal heads Bahrain’s Amman squad

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:00:00 GMT

19 March 2009 - The Bahrain Athletics Association (BAA) have announced a strong team of eight athletes who will compete at the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Amman, Jordan.

US$280,000 in prize money and a wide open title chase – Amman 2009

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:00:00 GMT

18 March 2009 - Monte-Carlo - The battle for honours at the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships, Amman, Jordan on Saturday 28 March is set to be more competitively open than has been the case at these championships for most of a decade.

Shaheen to lead strong Qatari men’s team in Amman

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:00:00 GMT

18 March 2009 - World 3000m Steeplechase record holder Saif Saaeed Shaheen will lead a strong Qatari team for the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Amman, Jordan, Saturday 28 March 2009.

Fernandez, the ace in the USA’s junior pack for Amman

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 22:00:00 GMT

17 March 2009 - Indianapolis, USA – USATF have announced a full line-up of squads to contest all four races (senior men, senior women, junior men and junior women) at the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Amman, Jordan on Saturday 28 March.

Destination Amman – IAAF Cross Country Permit meeting season round-up

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:00:00 GMT

16 March 2009 - Monte-Carlo - With the 23rd edition of the Fukuoka Cross Country races taking place on Saturday 7 March, the tenth and final IAAF Cross Country Permit meeting of the 2008/09 season was concluded.

Mockenhaupt and Gabius win German Cross Country titles

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 05:00:00 GMT

15 Marhc 2009 - Pre-race favourite Sabrina Mockenhaupt made no mistake when taking the title at the German Cross Country Championships in Ingolstadt, Germany on Saturday (14).

‘Doing as well as Lornah’ - European XC champion Kibet plays down Amman chances

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:00:00 GMT

13 March 2009 - The Netherlands' Hilda Kibet knows what a World Cross Country Championships gold medal looks like.

‘Next stop Amman’ for Australia’s junior distance running revolution

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:00:00 GMT

12 March 2009 - It all started on the 10 November 2007, and took just over eight minutes and one second. There had been signs of an imminent distance running rebirth - a few juniors bunched around the 8:15 mark over 3000m, and the odd 5000m performance. But when Ryan Gregson broke Craig Mottram's under-20 national record over 3000m, aged only 17, the flood gates were officially open.

Japanese select 24 for Amman; another bronze on the horizon for junior women?

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:00:00 GMT

12 March 2009 - Twenty-four members of the Japanese team, six in each race (senior men, women, junior men and junior women), for the upcoming 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships, Amman, Jordan (Saturday 28 March) was selected on the basis of the results at the Chiba and Fukuoka cross country races.

Ejigu targets Amman World XC, leaving difficult years behind

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:00:00 GMT

11 March 2009 - When Sentayehu Ejigu of Ethiopia ran 14:47.62 to win the Boston Indoor Games 5000m on 7 February, only three women in history had ever run faster over the distance. Although some fast times have since bumped Ejigu down, she remains in the all-time top ten at number six.

Trials winner Twell heads the British challenge in Amman

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:00:00 GMT

11 March 2009 - UKA have announced the Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland team selected for the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Amman, Jordan on Saturday 28 March.

Amman is on course to leave a running legacy – World Cross Country Championships

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:00:00 GMT

3 March 2009 - Monte-Carlo - Given that the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships on Saturday 28 March is taking place in the desert kingdom of Jordan, athletes from over 60 countries who will participate in the event should be pleasantly surprised to find the championship venue is situated in relatively lush surroundings.

Ethiopia selects strong team of 24 for Amman

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 05:00:00 GMT

3 March 2009 - The Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF) this week named its provisional squad of twenty-four athletes for the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Amman, Jordan on Saturday 28 March 2009.

Jamal and Abdullah cruise to title defence - Asian Cross Country Championships

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 09:36:00 GMT

2 March 2009 - Manama, Bahrain - Bahrain’s World 1500m champion Maryam Yusuf Jamal and Asian 10,000m record holder Ahmed Hassan Abdullah comfortably defended their women’s and men’s titles respectively at the 10th Asian Cross Country Championships in Manama, Bahrain on Sunday (01).

Jamal's home debut and Shaheen’s championship return - Asian XC Champs - PREVIEW

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 09:00:00 GMT

28 February 2009 - Manama, Bahrain - The small, but prosperous Middle East nation of Bahrain will play host to the 10th Asian Cross Country Championships at the Bahrain hippodrome race course in Manama on Sunday 1 March 2009.

African Southern Region XC Champs: A South African affair

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 08:00:00 GMT

28 February 2009 - Gymkhana, Mauritius - The 2009 Southern Region Cross Country Championships took place at Gymkhana on Saturday (28), where South Africa won four gold, four silver and two bronze medals, as Lesotho took two bronze medals in the junior races.

Brazil dominates South American Cross Country Championships in Chile

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:00:00 GMT

23 February 2009 - Brazil once again demonstrated its power in the South American region by dominating the 24th Area Cross Country Championships held on 21 February in Coronel, Chile, in the VIII Region of the Andean country – some 500km south of the capital, Santiago.

Ayalew's surprise, Gebremariam's comeback highlight Ethiopia’s World Cross Country trials

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:25:00 GMT

22 February 2009 – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - African 10,000m bronze medallist Wude Ayalew’s shock defeat of cross country specialists Gelete Burka and Meselech Melkamu in the senior women’s 8km was the highlight of the 26th Jan Meda International Cross Country- Ethiopia’s trials for the World Cross Country Championships- held at the Jan Meda race course in Addis Ababa this morning (22).

Kipsiro defends Ugandan Cross Country title

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 11:25:00 GMT

15 February 2009 - Kapchorwa, Uganda – 2008 Beijing Olympics 4th placer Moses Kipsiro and Adero Nyakisi headlined the one day Ugandan Cross Country championship held Saturday (14) at the Kapchorwa Secondary School in far east Uganda.

Karoki and Shimizu the winners at Chiba Cross Country

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 10:10:00 GMT

15 February 2009 – Muchiri Karoki of Kenya and Yuko Shimizu of Japan won their respective senior races at the Chiba Cross Country in Chiba, Japan.

New faces emerge in Rift Valley as soldiers make good in Nairobi - Kenyan Provincial Championships round-up

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 09:07:00 GMT

15 February 2009 - Nairobi, Kenya - Peter Kosgei from Keiyo and Hiron Ng'etich of Nandi Central have joined Kenya's never-drying production line of distance runners from the vast Rift Valley Province.

Solid domestic fields to line up in Chiba - Chiba Cross Country preview

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:00:00 GMT

13 February 2009 - The 44th Chiba Cross Country, the Japanese selection meet for the 37th World Cross Country Championships, is scheduled to be held on Sunday Feb 15, 2009 over the cross country course in Showa woods in Chiba.

Keflezighi, Brown take USA Cross Country titles

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 18:49:00 GMT

8 February 2009 - Derwood, Maryland, USA - 2004 Olympic men's marathon silver medalist Meb Keflezighi won his third national cross country title while Emily Brown won her first at the USA Cross Country Championships on Saturday (7) at the Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood, Maryland.

Kenyan regional and district Cross Country round-up

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 11:05:00 GMT

8 February 2009 – Nairobi, Kenya – A round-up of some of the district and provincial Cross Country championships held in Kenya on Saturday (7).

Kibet steals the show at Prisons cross country championships, outsider Chepkurui wins women’s title

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 14:14:00 GMT

7 February 2009 - Ruiru, Kenya - After a disappointing outing at the Beijing Olympics last summer, World Marathon champion, Corporal Luke Kibet, seems to have soldiered on gracefully.

Mutai and Chepkwony win in South Rift as two perish in Kisii

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 13:27:00 GMT

7 February 2009 - Nairobi, Kenya - Kenya is mourning the death through road accident of Japan-based Jafferson Siekei and schoolboy Christopher Michira, who perished on their way to Nyanza South Provincial Championships in Kisii on Friday.

63 nations set to compete in Amman

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:00:00 GMT

3 February 2009 - Monte-Carlo - By the close of Preliminary Entries on 28 January 2009, 63 IAAF Member Federations had expressed their wish to compete at the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships, Amman, Jordan, Saturday 28 March 2009.

Kimurer and Cheruiyot take Kenyan Police Champs titles in Nairobi

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 13:15:00 GMT

31 January 31 2008 – Nairobi, Kenya - Civilian Joel Kemboi Kimurer broke into the police armoury and stole the men’s 12-kilometre title at the Kenya Police National Cross Country Championships at the Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi on Saturday.

Medhin and Kalovics impress over the country in San Sebastián

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:00:00 GMT

26 January 2009 - San Sebastián, Spain - Eritrea’s Teklemarian Medhin and Hungary’s Aniko Kalovics snatched unchallenged victories at the ‘54th Cross Internacional de San Sebastián’ held on Sunday (25) on a windy and rainy day for weather.

Sefer and Wangari take impressive XC victories in Hannut

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 16:00:00 GMT

25 January 2009 - Hannut, Belgium - Dino Sefer from Ethiopia clinched his first international victory when he beat Kenyan Charles Kibet Chepkurui in a sprint finish at the Lotto Cross Cup - European XC Permit meet - in Hannut on Sunday (25).

Kisorio wins in Eldoret and has hopes for Amman XC

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 11:00:00 GMT

25 January 2009 - Eldoret, Kenya - World junior 5000 metres silver medallist Matthew Kisorio won the 12km senior race at the 16th edition of the Discovery Cross Country Championship held in Eldoret, Kenya (25).

Gelan shocks Etea, Leilsa and Mesfin victorious in Sululta Cross Country

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:22:00 GMT

24 January 2009 - Sululta, Ethiopia - Upcoming runner Abebu Gelan’s shock victory over World junior Cross Country silver medallist Emebet Etea in the junior women’s 6km race was the highlight of the Sululta Inter-club Cross Country meeting held in Sululta, 25kms north of the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

With the World Cross Country on the near horizon, how are last year’s medallists faring in the build-up to Amman 2009?

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:00:00 GMT

21 January 2009 - Monte-Carlo - With the ‘27th Cross Internacional de Itálica’ having taken place last Sunday (18), the international cross country season reached its halfway point. The cross country meeting in Seville, Spain, was the fifth of ten IAAF Cross Country Permit Meetings on the 2008/2009 competition calendar, which began in Oeiras, Portugal in November 2008 and will end in Fukuoka, Japan in March 2009.

Kiprop and Dal Ri the winners in Villa Lagarina Cross Country

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:34:00 GMT

18 January 2009 - Villa Lagarina, Italy - Young Kenyan Wilson Kiprop clinched his second consecutive race of the season while Federica Dal Ri thrilled the local crowd with her victory at the EA Permit race in Villa Lagarina.

Kiprop and Chepkurui take Kenyan Armed Forces Cross Country titles, but Tergat’s ‘return’ steals the show

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 17:44:00 GMT

17 January 2008 – Nairobi, Kenya - After a long dry spell, the heavens finally opened in Nairobi on Saturday as if celebrating the return of a King as five times World Cross Country champion Paul Tergat made a comeback 11 years after shifting his attention to the road with a fine run at the Kenya Armed Forces Cross Country Championships at the Kahawa Garrison in Nairobi.

Kiprop aiming to defend in Vallagarina

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:14:00 GMT

16 January 2009 - Wilson Kiprop from Kenya returns to Vallagarina near Rovereto on Sunday looking for a second win in a row in one of the most prestigious Italian Cross Country races.

Dinkesa eyes Amman XC and a spring marathon debut

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:00:00 GMT

14 January 2009 - Ethiopia’s Abebe Dinkesa hopes his surprising cross country victory in Saturday’s Great Edinburgh International – IAAF XC permit - will help propel him towards marathon success this spring.

Abshero and Kiplagat dominate at Elgoibar Cross Country

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:00:00 GMT

11 January 2009 - Elgoibar, Spain - Ethiopia’s Ayele Abshero grabbed a more than convincing 13-second win at the ‘66th Cross Internacional Juan Muguerza’ which was held today (11).

Chebii surprises loaded field, Korikwiang completes domestic hat trick in Eldoret - 6th AK Cross Meet

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:03:00 GMT

10 January 2009 – Eldoret, Kenya - Eldoret, the nerve centre of Kenyan athletics, produced yet another spectacular display of cross country running with Abraham Chebii rising from the ashes to win his first major title in three years and the on-song Pauline Korikwiang completing a hat-trick of victories in the last of the six-meet Athletics Kenya national cross country series.

Elgoibar cross country unveils formidable line-up - PREVIEW

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:00:00 GMT

9 January 2009 - The current economic downturn has not been a barrier for race elite coordinator Zigor Díez to bring together a star-studded cross country field for the “66th Cross Internacional Juan Muguerza” meeting which will be held on Sunday (11 Jan) in Elgoibar, Spain.

Kipchoge just keeps Lebid at bay; Kalovics dominates in the snow - Campaccio XC

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:00:00 GMT

7 January 2009 - San Giorgio su Legnano, Italy - Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya, 2008 Olympic 5000m silver medallist, and Aniko Kalovics from Hungary, won the men’s and women’s races respectively at yesterday's Campaccio EA Permit cross country meeting in San Giorgio su Legnano (6), which officially kicked off the international athletics year in Italy on an exceptionally snowy day.

Powerful displays by Tsegay and Masai in Amorebieta Cross

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 16:36:00 GMT

4 January 2009 - Amorebieta, Spain - Eritrea’s Samuel Tsegay provided a major upset today by taking a surprise win at the ‘55th Cross Internacional Zornotza’.

Soi and Lebid ready for Campaccio rematch

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 12:57:00 GMT

4 January 2009 - Edwin Soi and Sergiy Lebid will return to the Campaccio EAA Permit Cross Country race on 6 January one year after the fabulous nail-biting neck-to-neck race won by the Kenyan by the narrowest of margins after a breathtaking sprint.

Kisorio graduates as Chepkirui rules women’s race – AK XC 5

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 21:28:00 GMT

27 December 2008 - With the established seniors continuing to give the series a wide berth, junior athletes seem to have taken advantage to test the waters as was the case at the Fifth Athletics Kenya National Cross Country Series race in Nyahururu, central Kenya, on Saturday.

Bezabeh and Monteiro cruise to wins in Venta de Baños

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:53:00 GMT

22 December 2008 - Venta de Baños, Spain - Spain’s Alemayehu Bezabeh and Portugal’s Ines Monteiro clinched convincing victories at the ‘29th Cross Internacional de Venta de Baños' on Sunday.

Tola and Urgessa triumph in inaugural Bahir Dar Cross Country

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:00:00 GMT

15 December 2008 - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - All-Africa Games 10,000m silver medallist Tadesse Tola and African junior 5000m bronze medallist Bezunesh Urgessa were the menʼs and womenʼs race winners at the inaugural Bahir Dar Cross Country meet in Bahir Dar, 560kms north of the Ethiopian capital on Sunday (14).

Sergiy Lebid makes it eight titles! European XC Champs, MEN’s races

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 22:00:00 GMT

14 December 2008 - Brussels, Belgium - Sergiy Lebid continued making history at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships today (14).

Hilda Kibet takes her first title – European XC Champs, WOMEN’s races

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:00:00 GMT

14 December 2008 - Brussels, Belgium - Hilda Kibet won her first European title at the 15th SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Brussels today (14).

Farah, Tahri, Mohamed rely on Ethiopian preparations to help them tackle Lebid - European XC Press Conference

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:00:00 GMT

13 December 2008 - Brussels, Belgium - The 15th SPAR European Cross Country Championships take place in the Belgian capital tomorrow (Sunday 14) in what is forecast to be sunny weather conditions.

Ndiwa comes of age; Limika prevails in women’s race – AK XC Meet 4

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 18:00:00 GMT

13 December 2008 - Kisii, Kenya - 2006 World Junior Cross Country champion, Mangata Ndiwa appears to be making a successful transition to the seniors men’s division, just like his counterpart Pauline Korikwiang is doing in the senior women’s side of the sport.

European Cross Country Championships - PREVIEW

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:00:00 GMT

12 December 2008 - Gulnara Galkina, Russia’s Olympic gold medallist and World record holder in the Steeplechase, and seven-time winner Sergiy Lebid of Ukraine will be the most prominent athletes in Sunday’s 15th SPAR European Cross Country European Cross Country Championships, which are held in Brussels’ Parc de Laeken (14 Dec).

Lebid – “The goal is just to win”

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

9 December 2009 - Seven times SPAR European Cross Country Champion Sergiy Lebid will lead the Ukrainian team to Brussels, Belgium for the 2008 edition of the meet on 14 December.

Gebremariam out-sprints Bekele, while Masai continue early season roll in Alcobendas XC

Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:35:00 GMT

7 December 2008 - Alcobendas, Spain - Ethiopia’s Gebregziabher Gebremariam captured a thrilling sprint victory in the 27th ‘Cross Internacional de la Constitución’.

T. Bekele, Linet Masai, Jepkorir - Alcobendas unveils formidable line-up

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:27:00 GMT

5 December 2008 - Alcobendas, Spain – Ethiopia’s Tariku Bekele and the Kenyan pair of Linet Masai and Eunice Jepkorir will be the marquee athletes at the 27th ‘Cross Internacional de la Constitución’ in Alcobendas, Spain, on Sunday.

Emotional victory for Dejaeghere in Roeselare; despite slip Sandell continues revival

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

1 December 2008 - Roeselare, Belgium - Veerle Dejaeghere won the Lotto Cross Cup - EAA XC Permit - in Roeselare on Sunday (30 Nov) after an impressive display of strength and endurance.

Jida beats Kigen again, as Ethiopians dominate in Leffrinckoucke

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Leffrinckoucke, France - Ethiopian athletes swept all before them during the 17th edition of Cross de L'Acier, an EAA XC permit meeting, held on Sunday 30 November in Leffrinckoucke, northern France.

Silva takes narrow victory, while Moreira produces solo win in Torres Vedras

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT

1 December 2008 - Lisbon, Portugal - The last of the three cross country events, the results from which will determine the Portuguese team for the European Cross Country championship on 14 December, took place yesterday (30 Nov) in Torres Vedras, at one of the most traditional cross country events in Portugal.

Tariku Bekele and Masai take the spoils in Llodio

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 18:00:00 GMT

30 November 2008 - Llodio, Spain - Ethiopia’s Tariku Bekele and Kenya’s Linet Masai captured top spots in style at the 25th ‘Cross Internacional Valle de Llodio’ - EAA XC Permit - held today (30) on a cold and rainy day for weather.

Mosop back from injury takes emphatic cross country win in Eldoret

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 14:00:00 GMT

30 November 2008 - Eldoret, Kenya - 2007 World Cross Country Championhips silver medallist Moses Mosop sent a strong signal of his intention to make the Kenyan team for next year’s edition of the World XC in Amman, Jordan (28 March), by taking a dominant victory in the men’s senior contest at the third edition of the annual Wareng Tuskys Cross Country race held today (30 Nov) in Eldoret.

Korikwiang collects second series win, Chebon sprints to men’s title – AK XC Meet 3

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 17:16:00 GMT

29 November 2008 – Meru, Kenya - Former World junior champion Pauline Korikwiang signalled her season’s intentions with a brilliant run to win the senior women’s eight-kilometre race at the third Athletics Kenya cross country championships meeting at the eastern Kenyan town of Meru on Saturday.

T. Bekele vs Komon clash the featured attraction in Llodio

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 11:52:00 GMT

28 November 2008 - Llodio, Spain - The 'Cross Internacional Valle de Llodio’ which is one of the two Spanish legs of the current European Athletics Cross Country permit season, will celebrate its Silver Jubilee edition (25 years) this Sunday (30 Nov) at the ‘Ellakuri’ venue.

Kipyego a three-time winner, Rupp succeeds in NCAA Cross Country

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:00:00 GMT

25 November 2008 - Terre Haute, Indiana, USA - Sally Kipyego (KEN) became only the fourth athlete (and the first woman) to win three NCAA Cross Country titles at this year’s edition of the championships which were held on Monday (24) in Terre Haute.

Dominating solo performances the highlights in Amora Cross

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:38:00 GMT

24 November 2008 - Lisbon, Portugal – On Sunday (23) the Portuguese athletics family hosted face one of the most popular cross country races in our country – the International Cross of Amora – on the south margins of the Tagus river. Although it wasn’t as competitive as usual, the races provided two solid solo performances, with David Kilel and Ana Dias achieving victories from the gun.

Sylta claims Norway’s first men’s title, Sandell-Hyvärinen dethrones Otterbu – Nordic XC Champs

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 11:22:00 GMT

16 November 2008 - Öystein Sylta claimed Norway’s first-ever men’s title at the Nordic Countries Cross Country Championships in Copenhagen on Saturday (15).

Soi and Chepkorir prevail; Cherono unchallenged in junior race – AK XC, Meet 2

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:00:00 GMT

15 November 2008 - Kericho, Kenya - Olympic 5000m bronze medallist Edwin Soi survived a fierce challenge to retain his senior men’s 12km title at the second meeting of Athletics Kenya national cross country series which was run in atrocious weather conditions on a rainy Kericho course in the Rift Valley on Saturday (15).

‘Hurricane’ Bezabeh defeats World XC silver medallist Komon in Atapuerca

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:00:00 GMT

10 November 2008 - Atapuerca (Burgos), Spain - Spain’s Alemayehu Bezabeh and Kenya’s Margaret Muriuki kicked off the new Spanish cross country season successfully by capturing fine victories in the fifth edition of the ‘Cross Internacional de Atapuerca’ held yesterday (9) on a cold and windy day for weather.

Korikwiang and Kamakya steal limelight in Machakos – AK XC Series, Meet 1

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:00:00 GMT

8 November 2008 - Machakos, Kenya - Kenya’s long journey to the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Amman, Jordan (28 March) started on a high note in the Eastern Kenya town of Machakos on Saturday (8) with former World junior champion Pauline Korikwiang showing impressive form by winning the women’s eight-kilometre race.

Cullen and Korir highlight Mayor's Cup XC

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

26 October 2008 - Boston, USA - A record field of more than 1000 entrants and a course-record run by Mary Cullen (IRL / Providence, RI) highlighted the 19th edition of the Mayor's Cup Cross Country Races today (26).

Jordan to welcome the athletics world in 2009

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:00:00 GMT

22 October 2009 - Amman, Jordan - The world’s biggest winter outdoor athletics event will be held in Jordan when the Kingdom hosts the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships on 28 March 2009.

Tens of thousands participate, as France celebrates national cross country week

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:00:00 GMT

20 October 2008 - Annette Sergent was the winner of the IAAF World Cross Country Championships title in 1987 and 1989, and now she is applying her expertise to an imaginative scheme to encourage cross-country amongst French youth by spearheading the country’s National Cross Week.

Preparations well underway for 2009 World Cross Country Champs in Amman

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:00:00 GMT

29 September 2008 - Amman, Jordan - An IAAF delegation headed by Vice-President Dahlan Al Hamad, Organisational Delegate, and Cross Country Committee Chairman Otto Klappert, Technical Delegate, were in Amman from 23 to 24 September to carry out a site visit ahead of next year’s 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships, which will be held on 28 March 2009 in the Jordanian capital.

European Cross Country Champs moves to Brussels

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:05:00 GMT

14 July 2008 - European Athletics has announced that the 2008 SPAR European Cross Country Championships will take place in the Belgian capital of Brussels on Sunday 14 December 2008.

European Cross Country Championships no longer to be in Ostend

Thu, 29 May 2008 00:20:00 GMT

29 May 2008 - Due to unseasonal wet weather conditions experienced in Belgium during the springtime, European Athletics has requested that the Belgian Athletic Federation (KBAB) look for an alternative venue for the SPAR European Cross Country Championships, which were originally due to take place in Ostend on 14 December 2008.