30 March 2024 | Athletics

Jacob Kiplimo retained his World Cross Country title after a dominant display in the final stages of the men's senior race on Saturday at the Park of Friendship in Belgrade.

The Ugandan joined the likes of Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele, and Kenyans Geoffrey Kamworor and Paul Tergat as back-to-back winners of the senior men’s title.

Ethiopian Chimdessa Debele was the first to make a significant move as he opened up a significant lead during the first two laps as pre-race while contenders – including Kiplimo and 2019 winner Joshua Cheptegei – ran in the large pack about 20 meters back.

Just over twelve minutes in, Kenya’s Gideon Rono put in a surge to open up a gap on the rest of the field but he didn't last long as the chasing pack, headed by Kiplimo and Cheptegei, caught up.

Kiplimo then started to make a move with about 25 minutes on the clock and Ethipian Berihu Aregawi who eventually won silver was just a step behind the Ugandan.

Kiplimo stretched ahead of his opponents on the final lap and looked confident of retaining his title which he did in 28:09.

Compatriot Joshua Cheptegei finished in sixth in 28:24 behind two Kenyans Nicholas Kipkorir (28:16) and Samwel Chebolei Masai (28:18) but he earned silver in the team contest.

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