2008 IAAF World Cross Country Championships
Encyclopedia
The 36th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held in the Holyrood Park
at Edinburgh
, Scotland
on 30 March 2008. Four races took place, one for men, women, junior men and junior women respectively. All races encompassed both individual and team competition. This was the year in which Kenenisa Bekele
became the first athlete in World Cross history to win six individual long course titles, breaking his tie with John Ngugi
and Paul Tergat
who had each won five.
Holyrood Park
Holyrood Park is a royal park in central Edinburgh, Scotland about a mile to the east of Edinburgh Castle. It has an array of hills, lochs, glens, ridges, basalt cliffs, and patches of whin providing a remarkably wild piece of highland landscape within its area...
at Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
on 30 March 2008. Four races took place, one for men, women, junior men and junior women respectively. All races encompassed both individual and team competition. This was the year in which Kenenisa Bekele
Kenenisa Bekele
Kenenisa Bekele is an Ethiopian long-distance runner, who holds the world record and Olympic record in both the 5000 metres and 10,000 metres events...
became the first athlete in World Cross history to win six individual long course titles, breaking his tie with John Ngugi
John Ngugi
John Ngugi Kamau , is a former Kenyan athlete, often called one of the greatest cross country runners of all time and winner of the 5000 metres at the 1988 Summer Olympics.-Career:...
and Paul Tergat
Paul Tergat
Paul Kibii Tergat is a Kenyan professional long distance runner. He held the world record in the marathon from 2003 to 2007, with a time of 2:04:55, and is regarded as one of the most accomplished long-distance runners of all time.Now concentrating exclusively on the marathon, Tergat won many...
who had each won five.
Individual (12 KM)
| Medal | Athlete | Time |
| Gold |  Kenenisa BekeleKenenisa Bekele Kenenisa Bekele is an Ethiopian long-distance runner, who holds the world record and Olympic record in both the 5000 metres and 10,000 metres events... (ETH Ethiopia Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2... ) |
34:38 min |
| Silver |  Leonard KomonLeonard Komon Leonard Patrick Komon is a Kenyan long-distance runner and the current world record holder in the 10 kilometres and 15 km road races.... (KEN Kenya Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east... ) |
34:41 min |
| Bronze |  Zersenay Tadese (ERIEritrea Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast... ) |
34:43 min |
| Complete results |
Team
| Medal | Country | Mark |
| Gold | Kenya Kenya Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east... Leonard Komon Leonard Komon Leonard Patrick Komon is a Kenyan long-distance runner and the current world record holder in the 10 kilometres and 15 km road races.... (2nd) Joseph Ebuya Joseph Ebuya Joseph Ebuya is a Kenyan runner who specializes in the 5000 metres and was the 2010 IAAF World Cross Country Championships champion.-Early life and career:... (4th) Moses Ndiema Masai Moses Ndiema Masai Moses Ndiema Masai is a Kenyan runner who specializes in the 10,000 metres.Masai is from Bugaa village, four kilometres to Kapsokwony town. Born to John Barasa Masai and Leonida Cherop, he is the first born out of ten children. He started running while at Kapsogom Primary School. Later he joined ... (5th) Gideon Ngatuny Gideon Ngatuny Gideon Lekumok Ngatuny is a Kenyan long-distance runner.At the 2007 World Cross Country Championships he finished fourth in the senior race, while the Kenyan team of which Ngatuny was a part won the team competition... (7th) Bernard Kipyego Bernard Kipyego Bernard Kiprop Kipyego is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in the marathon.Kipyego's first international highlight came as a junior at the 2005 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, where he took the silver medal in the junior race to form a Kenyan sweep of the medals, alongside... (10th) Hosea Macharinyang Hosea Macharinyang Hosea Mwok Macharinyang is a Kenyan runner who specializes in the 10,000 metres and cross-country running. He won three consecutive team titles with Kenya at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships from 2006 to 2008... (11th) |
39 points |
| Silver | Ethiopia Ethiopia Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2... Kenenisa Bekele Kenenisa Bekele Kenenisa Bekele is an Ethiopian long-distance runner, who holds the world record and Olympic record in both the 5000 metres and 10,000 metres events... (1st) Habtamu Fikadu Habtamu Fikadu Habtamu Fikadu is an Ethiopian runner. He won the bronze medal in the 400 metres at the 2005 African Junior Athletics Championships.... (9th) Sileshi Sihine Sileshi Sihine Sileshi Sihine is an Ethiopian long-distance runner.Sihine achieved a silver medal in the 10,000 metres at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics as well as at the 2005 World Championships and 2007 World Championships as well as a bronze medal in 2003... (15th) Gebregziabher Gebremariam (17th) Dereje Debele (21st) Abebe Dinkesa (42nd) |
105 points |
| Bronze |  QatarQatar Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its... Felix Kikwai Kibore (6th) Ahmad Hassan Abdullah (8th) Sultan Khamis Zaman Sultan Khamis Zaman Onèsphore Nkunzimana is a male long distance runnerHis first major competition was the 2000 World Junior Championships in Athletics, where he finished ninth in the 5000 metres... (22nd) Mubarak Hassan Shami Mubarak Hassan Shami Mubarak Hassan Shami is a Kenyan-born Qatari long-distance runner. He specializes in half marathon and marathon races.He won the Baringo Half Marathon, a race inaugurated by Paul Tergat, in 2005 and 2006, becoming the first runner to defend the title.... (25th) Gamal Belal Salem Gamal Belal Salem Gamal Belal Salem is a Qatari runner who specializes in the 3000 metres steeplechase, training with the world record holder Saaeed Shaheen under the Italian coach Renato Canova.... (34th) Essa Ismail Rashed Essa Ismail Rashed Essa Ismail Rashed is a long-distance runner now representing Qatar after his switch from Kenya in 2004... (49th) |
144 points |
| Complete team results | ||
Individual (8 KM)
| Medal | Athlete | Time |
| Gold | Tirunesh Dibaba Tirunesh Dibaba Tirunesh Dibaba also known as Tirunesh Dibaba Kenene is an Ethiopian long distance track athlete and the outdoor 5000 metres world record holder. She is the current Olympic 5000 metres and 10,000 metres champion... (ETH Ethiopia Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2... ) |
25:10 min |
| Silver | Mestawet Tufa Mestawet Tufa Mestawet Tufa is an Ethiopian long-distance runner. She was the winner of the women's 10,000 metres at the 2007 All-Africa Games and the runner up in the senior women's race at the 2008 World Cross Country Championships.She competed at the Olympic Games, but did not finish her 10,000 metres... (ETH Ethiopia Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2... ) |
25:15 min |
| Bronze | Linet Masai Linet Masai Linet Chepkwemoi Masai is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in track and cross country running events... (Ken Kenya Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east... ) |
25:18 min |
| Complete results |
Team
| Medal | Country | Mark |
| Gold | Ethiopia Ethiopia Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2... Tirunesh Dibaba Tirunesh Dibaba Tirunesh Dibaba also known as Tirunesh Dibaba Kenene is an Ethiopian long distance track athlete and the outdoor 5000 metres world record holder. She is the current Olympic 5000 metres and 10,000 metres champion... (1st) Mestawet Tufa Mestawet Tufa Mestawet Tufa is an Ethiopian long-distance runner. She was the winner of the women's 10,000 metres at the 2007 All-Africa Games and the runner up in the senior women's race at the 2008 World Cross Country Championships.She competed at the Olympic Games, but did not finish her 10,000 metres... (2nd) Gelete Burka (6th) Meselech Melkamu Meselech Melkamu Meselech Melkamu is an Ethiopian long-distance runner, who specializes in the 5000 metres, 10,000 metres and cross-country events... (9th) |
18 points |
| Silver | Kenya Kenya Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east... Linet Masai Linet Masai Linet Chepkwemoi Masai is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in track and cross country running events... (3rd) Doris Changeywo Doris Changeywo Doris Chepkwemoi Changeywo is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specialises in the 10,000 metres and cross country running.... (4th) Priscah Cherono (7th) Margaret Muriuki Margaret Muriuki Margaret Wangari Muriuki is a Kenyan runner. She was the winner of the 2008 Cross de Atapuerca and went on to finish in eighth place at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships that year.-Achievements:-References:... (8th) |
22 points |
| Bronze |  AustraliaAustralia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... Benita Johnson Benita Johnson Benita Willis is an Australian distance runner, who is a three-time national champion in the women's 5,000 metres.... (11th) Lisa Jane Weightman Lisa Jane Weightman Lisa Jane Weightman is an Australian long distance runner who specialises in the marathon event. She represented Australia in the marathon at the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2009 World Championships in Athletics... (20th) Melissa Rollison Melissa Rollison Melissa Rollison is an Australian professional triathlete and former middle distance runner, who specialised in steeplechase. She is the 2011 Ironman 70.3 World Champion.-Athletic career:... (26th) Anna Thompson Anna Thompson Anna Thompson is an Australian runner who specializes in cross-country running.-Achievements:-Personal bests:*1500 metres - 4:22.44 min *3000 metres - 8:58.93 min *5000 metres - 15:42.31 min... (27th) |
84 points |
| Complete team results |
Individual (8 KM)
| Medal | Athlete | Time |
| Gold | Ibrahim Jeilan Ibrahim Jeilan Ibrahim Jeilan Gashu is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who specialises in the 5000 metres and 10,000 metres on the track, as well as cross country running... (ETH Ethiopia Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2... ) |
22:38 min |
| Silver | Ayele Abshero Ayele Abshero Ayele Abshero is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who mainly competes in cross country and road races.... (ETH Ethiopia Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2... ) |
22:40 min |
| Bronze | Lucas Rotich Lucas Rotich Lucas Kimeli Rotich is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specializes in the 5000 metres.He won a silver medal in the 3000 metres at the 2007 World Youth Championships, the bronze medal in the junior race at the 2008 World Cross Country Championships and finished sixth in the 5000 metres at the... (KEN Kenya Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east... ) |
22:42 min |
| Complete results |
Team
| Medal | Country | Mark |
| Gold | Kenya Kenya Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east... |
21 points |
| Silver | Ethiopia Ethiopia Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2... |
28 points |
| Bronze |  UgandaUganda Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by... |
37 points |
| Complete team results |
Individual (6 KM)
| Medal | Athlete | Time |
| Gold | Genzebe Dibaba Genzebe Dibaba Genzebe Dibaba is an Ethiopian long-distance runner. She is the sister of World Champion Tirunesh Dibaba and Olympic silver medallist Ejegayehu Dibaba, and the cousin of former Olympic champion Derartu Tulu.... (ETH Ethiopia Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2... ) |
19:59 min |
| Silver | Irine Cheptai (KEN Kenya Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east... ) |
20:04 min |
| Bronze | Emebt Etea Emebt Etea Emebt Etea is an Ethiopian runner who specializes in the 1500 metres.She finished fourth at the 2006 World Junior Championships and seventh at the 2008 African Championships... (ETH Ethiopia Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2... ) |
20:06 min |
| Complete results |
Team
| Medal | Country | Mark |
| Gold | Ethiopia Ethiopia Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2... |
16 points |
| Silver | Kenya Kenya Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east... |
20 points |
| Bronze |  JapanJapan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... |
57 points |
| Complete team results |