Ethiopian Review

SPAIN (Athletics Weekly) — 56th Cross Internacional Zornotza, Amorebieta, January 10 IN the men’s 10.7km race, Humegaw Mesfin outsprinted his more illustrious compatriot Gebregziabher Gebremariam to take a surprising victory. Mesfin outsprinted the in-form world cross-country champion in the closing stages while European cross-country champion Alemayehu Bezabeh from Spain completed the podium in third.

When asked about his absence from Edinburgh, Gebremariam told the IAAF: “I simply never reached an agreement with Edinburgh’s organisers and preferred to compete here as I consider Spain my second country.”

Kenya ruled dominant in the women’s race as Ann Mwangi took a routine victory. The 21-year-old defeated European cross-country bronze medallist Adrienne Herzog by eleven seconds while Grace Momanyi took third. Two-time European cross-country medallist Rosa-Maria Morato took fourth.

Men’s 10.7km
1. Humegaw Mesfin (ETH) 35:24
2. Gebregziabher Gebremariam (ETH) 35:24
3. Alemayehu Bezabeh (ESP) 35:50
4. Ayad Lamdassem (ESP) 36:09
5. Mark Kiptoo (KEN) 36:15
6. Abdelhadi El Mouaziz (MOR) 36:30
7. Sergio Sanchez (ESP) 36:36
8. Eliseo Martin (ESP) 36:59

Women’s 6.7km
1. Ann Mwangi (KEN) 24:22
2. Adrienne Herzog (NED) 24:33
3. Grace Momanyi (KEN) 24:49
4. Rosa-Maria Morato (ESP) 25:17
5. Btissam Lakhouad (MOR) 25:35
6. Bouchra Chaabi (MOR) 25:46
7. Aicha Bani (MOR) 25:58
8. Jacqueline Martin (ESP) 26:18

53rd Campaccio International Cross Country, San Giorgio su Legnano, January 6
RETURNING from injury and a loss of form, Hungary’s Aniko Kalovics won here for the third time. The three-time Olympian defeated Italian favourites Elena Romagnolo and Federica Dal Ri while AFD’s Stephanie Twell was a solid fourth, three days before placing fifth in Edinburgh. The world junior 1500m champion also had the satisfaction of finishing one place ahead of Irina Sergeyeva from Russia, who was second in the under-23 race at the European Cross Country Championships to Twell’s eleventh.

In the men’s race, Abreham Cherkos from Ethiopia return to form, defeating a very strong Kenyan outfit on show. The youngster defeated former world 5000m champion Eliud Kipchoge by three seconds while Moses Masai took third. Titus Mbishei, who took the runner-up spot in Edinburgh, placed fourth.

Men’s 10km 1. Abreham Cherkos (ETH) 28:52
2. Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) 28:53
3. Moses Masai (KEN) 28:56
4. Titus Mbishei (KEN) 28:57
5. Sergiy Lebid (UKR) 29:30
6. Josphat Bett (KEN) 29:42
7. Andrea Lalli (ITA) 29:50
8. Vasyl Matvichuk (UKR) 30:01

Women’s 6km
1. Aniko Kalovics (HUN) 20:17
2. Elena Romagnolo (ITA) 20:25
3. Federica Dal Ri (ITA) 20:27
4. Stephanie Twell (GBR) 20:37
5. Irina Sergeyeva (RUS) 20:42
6. Valentina Belotti (ITA) 20:48

Zayed International Half Marathon, Abu Dhabi, January 7
THE gold and silver medallists from the World Half Marathon Championships in Birmingham retained their form, finishing first and second in the women’s race. Mary Keitany took a commanding victory in a swift 67:14, defeating Philes Ongori by an overwhelming two minutes. Former Boston and Houston Marathon winner Dire Tune finished third in 69:19, one place ahead of world marathon bronze medallist and team-mate Aselefech Mergia.

Little known Ethiopian Tilahun Regassa upset pre-race favourite Sammy Kitwara in the men’s race. Regassa clocked 59:19 to move to No.15 on the all-time lists to defeat Kitwara, second in 59:34. Lelisa Benti also ducked under the one-hour barrier, placing third in 59:59.

Men
1. Tilahun Regassa (ETH) 59:19
2. Sammy Kitwara (KEN) 59:34
3. Lelisa Benti (ETH) 59:59
4. Wilson Kiprotich (KEN) 60:04
5. Willy Mwangi (KEN) 60:07
6. Wilson Chebet (KEN) 60:31
7. Kiplimo Kimutai (KEN) 60:41
8. Fabiano Joseph (TAN) 60:53

Women 1. Mary Keitany (KEN) 67:14
2. Philes Ongori (KEN) 69:16
3. Dire Tune (ETH) 69:19
4. Aselefech Mergia (ETH) 69:21
5. Amane Gobena (ETH) 69:24
6. Wude Ayalew (ETH) 69:25
7. Mare Ibrahimova (AZE) 69:38
8. Peninah Arusei (KEN) 69:39