Bekele takes gold at Leopardstown

Sunday, 24 March 2002 15:52

Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele became the first man ever to win both the world cross country short and long races in the same weekend with his second victory in two days at Leopardstown this afternoon. The 19-year-old, who is also the youngest ever champion of the longer event, came home in a time of 34min 52sec, beating Tanzania's John Yuda by six seconds, while Kenyan Wilberforce Talel was third another 22 seconds in arrears on the 12km event.

Bekele, who is advised by Ethiopian legend Haile Gebrselassie who was also a winner on Sunday in the Lisbon half marathon, sewed up his second title at the end of the penultimate lap after breaking free from Yuda. The Kenyans failed miserably to fulfil their promise of taking the solo title back after a two-year hiatus as reigning track world champions Richard Limo and Charles Kamathi were burnt off the lead group with three laps to go and finished fourth and fifth respectively.

There was no joy for Belgium's Mohammed Mourhit in his bid to win a third successive title as he was soon trailing and dropped out after halfway. Kenya had the small consolation of taking the team title - which they have done since 1986 - with Ethiopia in second and Morocco edging France for third.

Overall placings:
1. Kenenisa Bekele (Eth) 34min:52sec
2. John Yuda 34:58
3. Wilberforce Talel (Ken) 35:20
4. Richard Limo (Ken) 35:26
5. Charles Kamathi (Ken) 35:29
6. Albert Chepkurui 35:32

Team event:
1. Kenya 18 points
2. Ethiopia 43
3. Morocco 58

Filed by Shane Murray