A storming final leg run from Fantu Worku in the mixed relay at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships Aarhus 2019 gave Ethiopia the victory in the mixed relays.
The first three legs proved to be a Kenya and Ethiopia affair as the two nations locked in a neck-and-neck battle with Morocco sitting in a distant third place. But everything changed on the final leg.
Morocco, the initial silver medalist was disqualified for handing over the timing wristband before the start of the exchange zone. It meant Kenya moved up to second and USA, clocking 27:01, took bronze.
Word 3,000m steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto and Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco were the standout names on the first leg. But El Bakkali, the world steeplechase silver medallist, couldn’t match his arch-rival on the twists, turns and hills on the 2.1km loop and started to lose contact after the first few minutes.
But just at the point when many expected Kipruto to make his move, it was little-known Ethiopian Kebede Endale who forged ahead of the Kenyan.
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Having covered his stage in 6:01, Endale handed over to compatriot Bone Cheluke with a three-second lead over Kenya, who had Jarinter Mawia Mwasya on their second leg.
World 1500m champion Elijah Manangoi took up the running for Kenya on the third leg, while 2012 world indoor 1500m champion Abdelaati Iguider carried Morocco’s hopes of gaining on Ethiopian leader, 2017 African U18 800m silver medallist Teddese Lemi.
Iguider managed to make up a bit of ground during the first half of his 2km leg but Lemi and Manangoi still had a comfortable lead. Having expended perhaps a bit too much energy, Iguider then faded slightly towards the end of his stage as Lemi kept Ethiopia’s lead.
