In a thrilling culmination to the 2023-2024 World Athletics Cross Country Tour, Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet and Burundi’s Rodrigue Kwizera emerged as the undisputed champions, showcasing their prowess and dominance in the grueling discipline of cross-country running.
Chebet’s path to victory was marked by a string of impressive performances, with victories at the prestigious Gold level meetings in Atapuerca and Elgoibar, followed by a triumphant defense of her title at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Belgrade 24.
With an overall score of 3880, Chebet secured her position at the top of the standings, demonstrating her exceptional skill and determination on the challenging terrain.
Not far behind, Chebet’s compatriot Edinah Jebitok and Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw shared second place, showcasing their own stellar performances throughout the tour.
Jebitok’s victories in Seville, Venta de Banos, and Hannut propelled her to the forefront of the competition, while Amebaw’s triumphs in Amorebieta, Soria, and Alcobendas solidified her position among the elite cross-country runners.
In the men’s competition, Kwizera asserted his dominance with victories at the Gold level meetings in Soria and Alcobendas, supplemented by a runner-up finish in Elgoibar. His overall score of 3700 secured him the title of men’s champion, a fitting culmination to his impressive campaign.
Fellow Burundian Celestin Ndikumana claimed second place in the overall standings, buoyed by his victory in Amorebieta, while Kenya’s Ronald Kwemoi clinched third place, further highlighting the depth of talent among the competitors.
As the tour drew to a close, Chebet and Kwizera stood tall as deserving champions, their triumphs serving as a testament to their skill, perseverance, and dedication to the sport. With prize money awarded to the top six finishers in the series, Chebet and Kwizera each received €10,000, a fitting reward for their outstanding achievements in the world of cross-country running
Final standings
Women1 Beatrice Chebet (KEN) 38802 Edinah Jebitok (KEN) 37203 Likina Amebaw (ETH) 37204 Asayech Ayichew (ETH) 36605 Nadia Battocletti (ITA) 36406 Megan Keith (GBR) 3600
Men1 Rodrigue Kwizera (BDI) 37002 Celestin Ndikumana (BDI) 36203 Ronald Kwemoi (KEN) 36104 Martin Magengo Kiprotich (UGA) 35905 Yves Nimubona (RWA) 35856 Ishmael Kipkurui (KEN) 3580
Photo: World Athletics
