Kenya’s won the inaugural mixed relay to secure the nation’s first gold of the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Kampala, Uganda with an eight second victory over arch-rivals Ethiopia.
Kenya’s mixed relay team had Asbel Kiprop (5:19), Wilfred Nzisa Mbithe (6:07), Bernard Kipkorir Koros (5:22) and Beatrice Chepkoech (5:58).
“It will remain in history that we won the first mixed relay,” Kiprop told organisers the IAAF after the race.
Uganda’s first ever gold medal at the IAAF Cross country
16-year-old Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo claimed Uganda’s first ever gold medal in World Cross Country history.
Kiplimo told the media shortly after the medal presentation ceremony that he anticipated his victory.
“Yes, yes, yes. I always thought I could win. It was a very good race. When I decided to break away going into the first lap, I knew I was going to win,” Kiplimo said.
IAAF World Cross Country 2017 Kampala Final Table standings:
- Kenya – 95 Points
- Ethiopia – 76 Points
- Uganda – 32 Points
- Eritrea – 15 Points
- Bahrain – 13 Points
- United States of America – 11 Points
- Morocco – 8 Points
- Tanzania – 8 Points
- Japan – 7 Points
- Turkey – 6 Points
- Spain – 3 points
- Burundi – 2 Points
- South Africa – 2 Points
- Peru – 1 Point
Medal Table:
- Kenya – 10 Total (3 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze)
- Ethiopia – 8 Total (4 Gold, 4 Silver, 0 Bronze)
- Uganda – 3 Total (1 Gold, 2 Bronze)
- Bahrain – 1 Total (1 Bronze)
- Eritrea – 1 Total (1 Bronze)
- Turkey – 1 Total (1 Bronze)