ATHLETICS: Cherono triumphs in Almond Blossom cross country race

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Kenyan youngster Fancy Cherono and Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda were crowned winners of the Almond Blossom cross country in Albufeira in Portugal on Sunday.

The IAAF cross country permit series that also doubles up as the European Champion Clubs saw Cherono, the Youth Olympics Games steeplechase champion win the women race.

The race developed into close battle between Cherono and her compatriot Daisy Kimeli, who was running for Turkish club Kasimpa?a Spor Kulübü Derne?i.

Kimeli led for most of the way and was six seconds ahead of her 17-year-old compatriot after the second and third laps.

But Cherono, also the African steeplechase bronze medallist, produced a great sprint once the finish line was in sight and took the win in 20:16 to Kimeli’s 20:19. Spain’s Trihas Gebre finished third in 20:44,

“I’m so happy to help my team win the European Cup and take this individual title,” Cherono said.

In men’s encounter Kiplimo, representing Italian team Casone Noceto, broke away in the last lap of the 9.730km course.

The 18-year-old Ugandan – who also won the permit meetings in Atapuerca, Soria, Alcobendas and Seville – was kept on his toes by Kenya’s Davis Kiplangat, who finished second.

The team contest was just as thrilling as Casone Noceto were vying for the title with Spanish club Atletismo Bikila.

Atletismo Bikila took the overall title with 43 points.