Uganda's Cheptegei and Kenya's Obiri Claim World Cross Country Titles in Aarhus

Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei and Kenya's Hellen Obiri claimed gold at the 2019 World Cross Country championships in Aarhus, Denmark on Saturday, March 30.

The 2017 World 10000m silver medalist, Joshua Cheptegei led Uganda's historick 1-2-7-10-12 finish to win the countries first ever individual and team titles.

The 22-year-old Cheptegei defeated his teammate Jacob Kiplimo, the World U20 Junior Champion from last year, by 4 seconds and defending champion Kenya's Geoffrey Kamwowor for his first global title.

Uganda won the men's team title with  20 points followed by Kenya with 43 pints and Ethiopia with 46 points. The last time a nation from outside Kenya or Ethiopia won the senior men's team title was back in 1980 when England won it.

Hellen Obiri won the women's senior World cross country title on the toughest courses ever seen. Ethiopians Dera Dida and Letesenbet Gidey finished very close behind Obiri in 2nd and 3rd place. By winning the XC World title Obiri became the first women in history to win World indoors, World outdoors and World Cross Country titles. 

“I thought you must look down, as you don't want to look up to see where you are going and at how difficult the hill is,” she revealed of her technique. “I knew it wasn't going to be a test of speed, as it was a tough hill. It was all about mind games.” Obiri told IAAF after the race.

The Ethiopian women claimed the women's team title with 21 points. Kenya took second with 25 points while Uganda closed the podium with 36 points. 

If you missed the World cross country championships, you can watch all races free on YouTube here.

Full Results