2011 IAAF World Cross Country Championships
Encyclopedia
The 2011 IAAF World Cross Country Championships
were held in Punta Umbría
, Spain
on 20 March 2011.
had expressed an interest in hosting the competition, but Punta Umbria was chosen as the host at the IAAF Council Meeting in November 2009. It will be the third occasion that Spain has hosted the competition, coming thirty years after Madrid held the 1981 edition
.
The course for the competition, set in a wooded area, has a 2 km loop format with an additional 600 m section for the start and finish of each race. A number of top runners were invited to preview the course in early 2011 and all confirmed that they were pleased with its quality. Defending champion Joseph Ebuya
said he liked the course but suggested that organisers add additional barriers along the route, claiming its flat features would make it difficult for runners to devise a race strategy.
Multiple world champion Kenenisa Bekele
will not compete for a third year running, owing to his failure to return to fitness following a season-long calf injury.
) before the World Championships had begun: despite his strong form on the circuit that season, Ebuya dropped out of his national race, while an ankle injury prevented Chebet from gaining selection.
Unlike previous years, no former champion was present in the line-up for the men's senior event at the World Championships. This left three East African national champions as some of the foremost contenders – Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai
, Hunegnaw Mesfin
of Ethiopia and Ugandan runner Moses Kipsiro
. Teklemariam Medhin
, a young Eritrean and runner-up in 2010, had also demonstrated strong form with wins on the Spanish cross country circuit. The men's team race was also anticipated to be a battle between these four East Africa nations.
Past champions were similarly absent from the women's senior race. Linet Masai
was one of principal protagonists once more, having been pipped into second place by a fellow Kenyan at both the 2009 and 2010 editions. One of her strongest rivals was yet again one of her countrywomen, this time in the form of track
specialist Vivian Cheruiyot
. Four-time long race bronze medallist Meselech Melkamu
led the Ethiopian team, which included Genzebe Dibaba
(sister of past winner Tirunesh
) among its representatives. Aside from two others in the Kenyan team (Lineth Chepkurui
and Pauline Korikwiang
), American Shalane Flanagan
and Bahrain's Maryam Yusuf Jamal
were the remaining prominent names expected to challenge for the medals.
In the junior races, the foremost runner was Isaiah Koech, who had set world junior indoor bests on the track in the months preceding the competition. A victory at the Kenyan junior race established him as a contender for the cross country title. Although the Kenyan junior women team did not have a star name, it was favoured to defend its team title against the Ethiopian challengers in an event at which the country is traditionally strong.
IAAF World Cross Country Championships
IAAF World Cross Country Championships is the most important competition in international cross country running. Held annually and organised by International Association of Athletics Federations , it was inaugurated in 1973, when it replaced the International Cross Country Championships...
were held in Punta Umbría
Punta Umbría
Punta Umbría is a town and municipality in the province of Huelva, part of the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia.The Punta in its name comes from the long point going out to the sea from the beach....
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
on 20 March 2011.
Preparation
The United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
had expressed an interest in hosting the competition, but Punta Umbria was chosen as the host at the IAAF Council Meeting in November 2009. It will be the third occasion that Spain has hosted the competition, coming thirty years after Madrid held the 1981 edition
1981 IAAF World Cross Country Championships
The 9th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 28, 1981 in Madrid, Spain. There were a total number of 457 participating athletes from 39 countries.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :...
.
The course for the competition, set in a wooded area, has a 2 km loop format with an additional 600 m section for the start and finish of each race. A number of top runners were invited to preview the course in early 2011 and all confirmed that they were pleased with its quality. Defending champion 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:...
said he liked the course but suggested that organisers add additional barriers along the route, claiming its flat features would make it difficult for runners to devise a race strategy.
Multiple world champion 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...
will not compete for a third year running, owing to his failure to return to fitness following a season-long calf injury.
Qualification
Athletes can gain qualification into the World Championships through performances at either their national trials or through the following IAAF Permit Meetings:- Cross de AtapuercaCross de AtapuercaThe Cross Internacional de Atapuerca is an annual cross country running competition that takes place in Atapuerca, Spain. Established in 2004, it takes place in early November and is among the first major competitions of the cross country season...
- Oeiras International Cross CountryOeiras International Cross CountryThe Oeiras International Cross Country is an annual cross country running competition that takes place in Oeiras, Portugal...
- Lotto Cross Cup BrusselsLotto Cross Cup BrusselsThe Lotto Cross Cup Brussels, also known as the IRIS Lotto Cross Cup, is an annual cross country running competition that takes place in mid-December in Brussels, Belgium...
- Great Edinburgh International Cross CountryGreat Edinburgh International Cross CountryThe Great Edinburgh International Cross Country is an annual cross country running competition that takes place every January in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is one of the competitions in the Great Run series of athletics events and is held alongside the Great Winter Run 5 kilometres mass...
- Cross Internacional de ItálicaCross Internacional de ItálicaThe Cross Internacional de Itálica is an annual cross country running competition that is held every January in Santiponce, near Seville, Spain. Inaugurated in 1982, the race course is set in the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Itálica...
- Antrim International Cross CountryAntrim International Cross CountryThe Antrim International Cross Country, formerly the Belfast International Cross Country, is an annual cross country running meeting which takes place every January in Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is one of the IAAF's cross country permit meetings, as well as being part of the UK Cross Challenge tour...
- Cinque MuliniCinque MuliniThe Cinque Mulini is an annual cross country running race in San Vittore Olona, Italy. First held in 1933, the course is unusual in that it revolves around a number of water mills, which lend the competition its name – meaning Five Mills in Italian. It is one of the IAAF cross country permit...
- KCB Nairobi Cross
- Chiba International Cross CountryChiba International Cross CountryThe Chiba International Cross Country is an annual cross country running competition which takes place in Chiba, Japan in mid-February. It is one of the IAAF permit meetings which serve as qualifying events for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships....
- Fukuoka International Cross CountryFukuoka International Cross CountryThe Fukuoka International Cross Country is an annual cross country running competition which takes place in Fukuoka, Japan in either late February or Early March...
- EurocrossEurocrossEurocross is an annual international cross country running competition which takes place in Diekirch, Luxembourg in February. It is one of the IAAF permit meetings which serve as qualifying events for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships....
- Almond Blossom Cross CountryAlmond Blossom Cross CountryThe Almond Blossom Cross Country is an annual international cross country running competition which takes place in Albufeira, Portugal in early March. It is one of the IAAF permit meetings which serve as qualifying events for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships. It is held in co-operation...
Pre-race form
The results of the Kenyan Cross Country Championships ruled out the defending men's and women's champions (Joseph Ebuya and Emily ChebetEmily Chebet
Emily Chebet is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specializes in the 10,000 metres and cross country running...
) before the World Championships had begun: despite his strong form on the circuit that season, Ebuya dropped out of his national race, while an ankle injury prevented Chebet from gaining selection.
Unlike previous years, no former champion was present in the line-up for the men's senior event at the World Championships. This left three East African national champions as some of the foremost contenders – Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai
Geoffrey Mutai
Geoffrey Kiprono Mutai is a Kenyan long distance runner who specialises in road running competitions...
, Hunegnaw Mesfin
Hunegnaw Mesfin
Hunegnaw Mesfin is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who competes in cross country and track running events...
of Ethiopia and Ugandan runner Moses Kipsiro
Moses Kipsiro
Moses Ndiema Kipsiro is a Ugandan long-distance runner who specializes in the 5000 metres. He was the bronze medallist in the event at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics...
. Teklemariam Medhin
Teklemariam Medhin
Teklemariam Medhin Weldeslassie is an Eritrean long-distance runner who specializes in the 5000 metres and 10,000 metres....
, a young Eritrean and runner-up in 2010, had also demonstrated strong form with wins on the Spanish cross country circuit. The men's team race was also anticipated to be a battle between these four East Africa nations.
Past champions were similarly absent from the women's senior race. Linet Masai
Linet Masai
Linet Chepkwemoi Masai is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in track and cross country running events...
was one of principal protagonists once more, having been pipped into second place by a fellow Kenyan at both the 2009 and 2010 editions. One of her strongest rivals was yet again one of her countrywomen, this time in the form of track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
specialist Vivian Cheruiyot
Vivian Cheruiyot
Vivian Cheruiyot is an athlete from Kenya who specialises in long distance running. She represented Kenya at the 2000 Summer Olympics and the 2008 Summer Olympics...
. Four-time long race bronze medallist 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...
led the Ethiopian team, which included 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....
(sister of past winner Tirunesh
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...
) among its representatives. Aside from two others in the Kenyan team (Lineth Chepkurui
Lineth Chepkurui
Lineth Chepkurui is a Kenyan long distance runner.At the 2008 World Cross Country Championships she finished eleventh in the individual race, however this was not enough to be a part of the Kenyan team, who won silver medals in the team competition...
and Pauline Korikwiang
Pauline Korikwiang
Pauline Chemning Korikwiang is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in track and cross country running competitions....
), American Shalane Flanagan
Shalane Flanagan
Shalane Flanagan is an American distance runner. She currently holds the American record times in the 3000 m , 5000 m , and 10,000 m...
and Bahrain's Maryam Yusuf Jamal
Maryam Yusuf Jamal
Maryam Yusuf Jamal is a Bahraini middle distance runner.Born in Ethiopia, 2005 was her first full season. She gained the national record and ran the fastest 3000 m of 2005 with a time of 8:28.87 at a race in Oslo...
were the remaining prominent names expected to challenge for the medals.
In the junior races, the foremost runner was Isaiah Koech, who had set world junior indoor bests on the track in the months preceding the competition. A victory at the Kenyan junior race established him as a contender for the cross country title. Although the Kenyan junior women team did not have a star name, it was favoured to defend its team title against the Ethiopian challengers in an event at which the country is traditionally strong.
Schedule
| Date | Time | Events |
|---|---|---|
| 20 March | 11:30 | Junior race women |
| 12:00 | Junior race men | |
| 12:45 | Senior race women | |
| 13:40 | Senior race men |
Senior men's race
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Time (m Minute A minute is a unit of measurement of time or of angle. The minute is a unit of time equal to 1/60th of an hour or 60 seconds. In the UTC time scale, a minute on rare occasions has 59 or 61 seconds; see leap second. The minute is not an SI unit; however, it is accepted for use with SI units... :s Second The second is a unit of measurement of time, and is the International System of Units base unit of time. It may be measured using a clock.... ) |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Imane Merga Imane Merga Imane Merga Jida is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who specializes in the 5000 and 10,000 metres. He won his first world title at the 2011 IAAF World Cross Country Championships... |
33:50 | |
 |
Paul Kipngetich Tanui Paul Kipngetich Tanui Paul Kipngetich Tanui is a Kenyan long distance runner.Hailing from Nakuru, Kenya, he began competing in major domestic cross country races in the 2007–2008 season: in two of the junior races at the KCB/Athletics Kenya Cross Country meetings he made the top eight, and he went on to finish in sixth... |
33:52 | |
 |
Vincent Kiprop Chepkok | 33:53 | |
| 4 | Mathew Kipkoech Kisorio | 33:55 | |
| 5 | Geoffrey Mutai Geoffrey Mutai Geoffrey Kiprono Mutai is a Kenyan long distance runner who specialises in road running competitions... |
34:03 | |
| 6 | Stephen Kiprotich | 34:07 | |
| 7 | Philemon Kimeli Limo | 34:21 | |
| 8 | Hunegnaw Mesfin Hunegnaw Mesfin Hunegnaw Mesfin is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who competes in cross country and track running events... |
34:25 | |
| 9 | Ali Hasan Mahboob | 34:30 | |
| 10 | Hosea Mwok Macharinyang | 34:30 | |
| 11 | Moses Ndiema Kipsiro | 34:31 | |
| 12 | Dino Sefir | 34:35 |
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| |
Paul Kipngetich Tanui Vincent Kiprop Chepkok Mathew Kipkoech Kisorio Geoffrey Kiprono Mutai |
14 |
| |
Imane Merga Hunegnaw Mesfin Dino Sefir Feyisa Lilesa Feyisa Lilesa Feyisa Lilesa is a male long-distance runner from Ethiopia. He became the youngest man to run under 2:06 when he set his personal best in the men's marathon at the 2010 Rotterdam Marathon. This makes him the third fastest Ethiopian runner ever over the distance, behind Haile Gebrselassie and... |
38 |
| |
Stephen Kiprotich Moses Ndiema Kipsiro Geofrey Kusuro Dickson Huru |
49 |
| 4 | 95 | |
| 5 | 113 | |
| 6 | 130 | |
| 7 | 150 | |
| 8 | 150 |
Senior women's race
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Time (m Minute A minute is a unit of measurement of time or of angle. The minute is a unit of time equal to 1/60th of an hour or 60 seconds. In the UTC time scale, a minute on rare occasions has 59 or 61 seconds; see leap second. The minute is not an SI unit; however, it is accepted for use with SI units... :s Second The second is a unit of measurement of time, and is the International System of Units base unit of time. It may be measured using a clock.... ) |
|---|---|---|---|
| |
Vivian Cheruiyot Vivian Cheruiyot Vivian Cheruiyot is an athlete from Kenya who specialises in long distance running. She represented Kenya at the 2000 Summer Olympics and the 2008 Summer Olympics... |
24:58 | |
| |
Linet Masai Linet Masai Linet Chepkwemoi Masai is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in track and cross country running events... |
25:07 | |
| |
Shalane Flanagan Shalane Flanagan Shalane Flanagan is an American distance runner. She currently holds the American record times in the 3000 m , 5000 m , and 10,000 m... |
25:10 | |
| 4 | 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... |
25:18 | |
| 5 | Priscah Jepleting Cherono | 25:20 | |
| 6 | Wude Ayalew | 25:21 | |
| 7 | Pauline Chemning Korikwiang | 25:26 | |
| 8 | Lineth Chepkurui Lineth Chepkurui Lineth Chepkurui is a Kenyan long distance runner.At the 2008 World Cross Country Championships she finished eleventh in the individual race, however this was not enough to be a part of the Kenyan team, who won silver medals in the team competition... |
25:28 | |
| 9 | 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.... |
25:36 | |
| 10 | Belaynesh Oljira Belaynesh Oljira Belaynesh Oljira is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who competes mainly in 10K and half marathon races. She represented her country at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in 2011.... |
25:40 | |
| 11 | Hiwot Ayalew | 25:42 | |
| 12 | Shitaye Eshete Shitaye Eshete Shitaye Eshete Habtegebrel is an Ethiopian-born long-distance runner who competes internationally for Bahrain.She first began competing for the oil-rich Gulf state in 2009, making her debut at the Asian Cross Country Championships in Manama. She won the women's junior title while team-mate Tejitu... |
25:53 |
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| |
Vivian Cheruiyot Linet Masai Priscah Jepleting Cherono Pauline Chemning Korikwiang |
15 |
| |
Meselech Melkamu Wude Ayalew Genzebe Dibab Belaynesh Oljira |
29 |
| |
Shalane Flanagan Molly Huddle Molly Huddle Molly Huddle in is an American athlete who competes in long distance track events. Huddle set the American record in the 5000m at the 2010 Memorial Van Damme Diamond League meet in Brussels, Belgium .... Magdalena Lewy-Boulet Magdalena Lewy-Boulet Magdalena Lewy-Boulet is an American runner from Oakland, California. Born in Jastrzębie-Zdrój, Poland, Lewy-Boulet became a U.S. citizen on September 11, 2001. Lewy Boulet finished second at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Women's Marathon, held on April 20, 2008, in Boston, Massachusetts, in... Blake Russell Blake Russell Blake Russell is an American long-distance runner who represented her country at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. After finishing third in the marathon at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, she went on to finish in 27th in the Olympic marathon in Beijing... |
57 |
| 4 | 87 | |
| 5 | 118 | |
| 6 | 148 | |
| 7 | 160 | |
| 8 | 180 |
Junior men's race
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Time (m Minute A minute is a unit of measurement of time or of angle. The minute is a unit of time equal to 1/60th of an hour or 60 seconds. In the UTC time scale, a minute on rare occasions has 59 or 61 seconds; see leap second. The minute is not an SI unit; however, it is accepted for use with SI units... :s Second The second is a unit of measurement of time, and is the International System of Units base unit of time. It may be measured using a clock.... ) |
|---|---|---|---|
| |
Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor | 22:21 | |
| |
Thomas Ayeko | 22:27 | |
| |
Patrick Mutunga Mwikya | 22:32 | |
| 4 | Bonsa Dida | 22:39 | |
| 5 | Fikadu Haftu | 22:43 | |
| 6 | James Gitahi Rungaru | 22:43 | |
| 7 | Muktar Edris | 22:44 | |
| 8 | Yitayal Atnafu | 22:53 | |
| 9 | Jacob Araptany | 23:03 | |
| 10 | Isaiah Kiplangat Koech | 23:10 | |
| 11 | Tesfaye Cheru | 23:16 | |
| 12 | Samson Gebreyohannes | 23:18 |
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| |
Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor Patrick Mutunga Mwikya James Gitahi Rungaru Isaiah Kiplangat Koech |
20 |
| |
Bonsa Dida Fikadu Haftu Muktar Edris Yitayal Atnafu |
24 |
| |
Thomas Ayeko Jacob Araptany Peter Kibet Phillip Kipyego |
50 |
| 4 | 65 | |
| 5 | 106 | |
| 6 | 123 | |
| 7 | 148 | |
| 8 | 153 |
Junior women's race
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Time (m Minute A minute is a unit of measurement of time or of angle. The minute is a unit of time equal to 1/60th of an hour or 60 seconds. In the UTC time scale, a minute on rare occasions has 59 or 61 seconds; see leap second. The minute is not an SI unit; however, it is accepted for use with SI units... :s Second The second is a unit of measurement of time, and is the International System of Units base unit of time. It may be measured using a clock.... ) |
|---|---|---|---|
| |
Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon | 18:53 | |
| |
Genet Yalew | 18:54 | |
| |
Azemra Gebru | 18:54 | |
| 4 | Waganesh Mekasha | 18:59 | |
| 5 | Janeth Kisa | 19:08 | |
| 6 | Nancy Chepkwemoi | 19:20 | |
| 7 | Purity Cherotich Rionoripo | 19:24 | |
| 8 | Emebet Anteneh | 19:29 | |
| 9 | Brillian Jepkorir Kipkoech | 19:33 | |
| 10 | Buze Diriba | 19:34 | |
| 11 | Alem Mokonnin | 19:39 | |
| 12 | Katsuki Suga | 19:49 |
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| |
Genet Yalew Azemra Gebru Waganesh Mekasha Emebet Anteneh |
17 |
| |
Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon Janeth Kisa Nancy Chepkwemoi Purity Cherotich Rionoripo |
19 |
| |
Katsuki Suga Tomoka Kimura Yuriko Kosaki Risa Yokoe |
75 |
| 4 | 89 | |
| 5 | 106 | |
| 6 | 110 | |
| 7 | 144 | |
| 8 | 146 |