Benjamin Limo wins the 2003 Soria Cross Country (© Luis Angel Tejedor Rubio)
Kenyan Benjamin Limo won the third edition of the "Foulées Internationales de Berkane" 10km which was organised yesterday by "L'Association Beni Snassen des oeuvres sociales", a charitable body headed by double Olympic champion (1500-5000m) Hicham El Guerrouj.
Limo, 30, the 1999 World Cross Country Championship short race winner succeeded his compatriots Peter Chebet (2001) and Richard Limo (2002) as the 10km winner. The event was not contested in 2003 or last year.
Taking control of the pace, Limo won in a time of 28:29, ahead of compatriot Chamba Luniac Kipro (28:44), with Morocco’s Mohamed Amyne occupying third place in 28:55.
There was also a Mile race held, with several of the best Algerian and Moroccan runners from their national teams contesting the title, the only notable exception being Morocco’s double Olympic champion Hicham El Guerrouj who was of course organising this year's event.
Winning the Mile was Morocco’s Adil El Kaouch, who had had to be content with second place in both 2001 and 2002. However this year the man who had triumphed on both those previous occasions Youssef Baba could only finish fifth. El Kaouch, who was the 1998 World Junior 1500m champion, won yesterday in 3:59, thanks to a sprint in the final metres. He was followed home by two young talents Yassine Bensghir, the 2002 World Junior 1500m winner (second, 4:02) and Mohamed Moustaoui, who was fourth at last year’s World Junior Championships over 1500m (third 4:06).
The women’s 5km was won by Morocco’s Zhor El Kamch from compatriot Bouchra Chaabi, and Bahrain (formerly Moroccan) Nadia Jafini. El Kamch, the five-time World Military Cross Country champion, finished first in 16:13, so retaining the title she won in 2001 and 2002. Chaabi was second (16:36), way ahead of Jafini in third (17:16).
The men’s 5km was dominated by a trio of Moroccans. Ahmed Beday took first place in 14:49, followed by Abderrahim Hajji (14:52), and Ahmed Fadel (14:56).
Before the start of the main racing, 6000 kids of 12 years of age and under took part in a 2000m fun run.
A delighted organizer, El Guerrouj assured that “though the event was not on the official calendar of the Moroccan Federation this year, I have taken on the organization to assure that it will continue…I will begin the preparation of the next edition so that it achieves a high international status.”
Mohammed Benchrif for the IAAF
