MarangaDenboba standoff in Seville's Italica International Cross
In a thrilling near photo-finish, Kenya's Jaqueline Maranga
confirmed her domination of the women's IAAF World Cross
Challenge here in Seville today as she crossed the line a split
second in front of her greatest rival this season, Ethiopian
Merima Denboba.
20 year old Maranga, who ran the fastest women's mile in the
world in 97 (4:24.53 in Bellinzona on 18 August), just outkicked
Denboba and a close pack in the final sprint to win the six
kilometre race in 19:15. Denboba was also timed in 19:15,
repeating the scenario in Amorebieta, where Marange shared the
same time as Fidatov but was given the decision by the judges.
With only eight seconds separating the first six runners and just
a second separating the first three, with Romania's Elena Fidatov
right on Denboba's heels, this was the closest fought cross
country we have seen so far this season.
With her fifth place in Durham her worst showing so far this
season, Jaqueline Maranga, who now has an eight point lead over
Merima Denboba in the standings with 66 to 58 points and is a
full 20 points ahead of Zohra Ouaziz of Morocco in third place,
has been the revelation of this season's IAAF world cross
challenge.