2007 IAAF World Cross Country Championships
Encyclopedia
The 35th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held in Mombasa
, Kenya
on 24 March, 2007. Four races took place, one for men, women, junior men and junior women respectively. All races encompassed both individual and team competition. The short race for men and women that was run between 1998 and 2006 was scrapped and the World Cross Country Championships
went back to one-day format.
(AK, the national governing body of Athletics) applied for the event, it used the slogan "Cross Country Comes Home", referring to Kenyan and East Africa
n traditional dominance at the event. Nevertheless, no formidable Kenyan runners are known to come from Kenyan Coast Province
. Instead, successful Kenyan runners typically represent Kalenjin tribes who reside in western Kenya, approximately 700-800 kilometres from Mombasa. AK chose Mombasa as a venue due to better infrastructure (such as hotels) compared to other cities. The 2007 World Cross Country Championships is one of the biggest international athletics event held in Kenya since the 1987 All-Africa Games
, held 20 years ago in Nairobi
. Another event held in Kenya was the 2003 Cricket World Cup
.
Other applicants for the event were Miami in the United States
and Madrid
in Spain
, both withdrew their candidature before final vote . The World Cross Country Championships have been held in Africa three times before. In 1975 and 1998 it was held in Morocco, the 1996 event took place in South Africa
.
There was also an IAAF Council meeting held in Mombasa, at which the host cities for 2011 and 2013 IAAF World Championships in Athletics
were selected.
, just east of the Kilindini Harbour
. The track was curvy but relatively flat. The underlying ground was mostly grass.
The weather was sunny, hot and humid, typical of Mombasa, resulting in exhausting conditions. This kind of weather may affect competitors who hail from distant latitudes, but also Kenyan and Ethiopian runners, who often come from cooler highland areas. One victim was Pauline Korikwiang
, Kenyan runner who was attempting to defend her junior women's title but fainted one kilometer before the finishing line.
of Ethiopia
, who has won five consecutive long and short course races, promised to quit cross country running
after the 2006 World Championships
. However, he changed his mind and competed in Mombasa after all . A pre-race favourite, Bekele did not finish the race and thus failed to win historical sixth consecutive title.
Zersenay Tadese won the event and became the first cross-country world champion for Eritrea
. Tadese is also the 2006 IAAF World Road Running Championships
men's gold medalist.
Mombasa
Mombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry....
, 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...
on 24 March, 2007. Four races took place, one for men, women, junior men and junior women respectively. All races encompassed both individual and team competition. The short race for men and women that was run between 1998 and 2006 was scrapped and the World Cross Country Championships
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...
went back to one-day format.
Preparations
When Athletics KenyaAthletics Kenya
Athletics Kenya is the governing body for the sport of athletics in Kenya. It is a member of the IAAF and Confederation of African Athletics. AK organises athletics competitions held in Kenya. It also sends Kenyan teams to international championships. Isaiah Kiplagat is the current chairman of...
(AK, the national governing body of Athletics) applied for the event, it used the slogan "Cross Country Comes Home", referring to Kenyan and East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
n traditional dominance at the event. Nevertheless, no formidable Kenyan runners are known to come from Kenyan Coast Province
Coast Province
Coast Province of Kenya, along the Indian Ocean, is one of Kenya's seven administrative provinces outside Nairobi. It comprises the Indian Ocean coastal strip with the capital city at Mombasa and is inhabited by the Mijikenda and Swahili, among others...
. Instead, successful Kenyan runners typically represent Kalenjin tribes who reside in western Kenya, approximately 700-800 kilometres from Mombasa. AK chose Mombasa as a venue due to better infrastructure (such as hotels) compared to other cities. The 2007 World Cross Country Championships is one of the biggest international athletics event held in Kenya since the 1987 All-Africa Games
1987 All-Africa Games
The 4th All-Africa Games were played from August 1, 1987 to August 12, 1987 in Nairobi, Kenya. 42 countries participated in fourteen sports.From the beginning the intent had been to hold the African Games every four years. Economic difficulties and general civil unrest had never allowed this to...
, held 20 years ago in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
. Another event held in Kenya was the 2003 Cricket World Cup
2003 Cricket World Cup
-Group stage tables and results:The top three teams from each pool qualify for the next stage, carrying forward the points already scored against fellow qualifiers, plus a quarter of the points scored against the teams that failed to qualify.-Pool A:...
.
Other applicants for the event were Miami in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
in 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...
, both withdrew their candidature before final vote . The World Cross Country Championships have been held in Africa three times before. In 1975 and 1998 it was held in Morocco, the 1996 event took place in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
There was also an IAAF Council meeting held in Mombasa, at which the host cities for 2011 and 2013 IAAF World Championships in Athletics
IAAF World Championships in Athletics
The World Championships in Athletics is an event organized by the International Association of Athletics Federations . Originally, it was organised every four years, but this changed in 1991, and it has since been organised biennially.-History:...
were selected.
Track and conditions
Mombasa, the host, is the second largest city in Kenya, a major port town and tourist center. The event was held at Mombasa Golf Club, located in Mombasa IslandMombasa Island
Mombasa Island is a 5 km by 3 km coral outcrop located on Kenya's coast on the Indian Ocean, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. The city of Mombasa is located on the island....
, just east of the Kilindini Harbour
Kilindini Harbour
Kilindini Harbour is a large, natural deep-water inlet extending inland from Mombasa, Kenya. It is 25-30 fathoms at its deepest center. It serves as the harbour for Mombasa, with a hinterland extending to Uganda and Sudan. Kilindini Harbour is the main part of the Port of Mombasa, the only...
. The track was curvy but relatively flat. The underlying ground was mostly grass.
The weather was sunny, hot and humid, typical of Mombasa, resulting in exhausting conditions. This kind of weather may affect competitors who hail from distant latitudes, but also Kenyan and Ethiopian runners, who often come from cooler highland areas. One victim was Pauline Korikwiang
Pauline Korikwiang
Pauline Chemning Korikwiang is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in track and cross country running competitions....
, Kenyan runner who was attempting to defend her junior women's title but fainted one kilometer before the finishing line.
Long Race Men
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...
of 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...
, who has won five consecutive long and short course races, promised to quit cross country running
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
after the 2006 World Championships
2006 IAAF World Cross Country Championships
The 34th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 1-2 April 2006 in Fukuoka, Japan.The event was once again dominated by Ethiopian and Kenyan runners and also Eritrean runners...
. However, he changed his mind and competed in Mombasa after all . A pre-race favourite, Bekele did not finish the race and thus failed to win historical sixth consecutive title.
Zersenay Tadese won the event and became the first cross-country world champion for Eritrea
Eritrea
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...
. Tadese is also the 2006 IAAF World Road Running Championships
2006 IAAF World Road Running Championships
The 1st IAAF World Road Running Championships were held in Debrecen, Hungary on 8 October 2006, the women's race starting at 11:00 and the men's race at 13:00. This was the first time the title of World Road Running Champion had been competed for, with this competition replacing the IAAF World Half...
men's gold medalist.
Individual (12 KM)
| Medal | Athlete | Time |
| Gold |  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... ) |
35:50 min |
| Silver |  Moses MosopMoses Mosop Moses Cheruiyot Mosop is a Kenyan middle and long distance athlete. He competed for Kenya at the 2004 Olympic Games and went on to take 10,000 metres bronze at the 2005 World Championships in Athletics... (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... ) |
36:13 min |
| Bronze | 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... (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... ) |
36:37 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... Moses Mosop Moses Mosop Moses Cheruiyot Mosop is a Kenyan middle and long distance athlete. He competed for Kenya at the 2004 Olympic Games and went on to take 10,000 metres bronze at the 2005 World Championships in Athletics... (2nd) 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... (3rd) 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... (4th) 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... (5th) Michael Kipyego Michael Kipyego Michael Kipyego is a Kenyan runner who specializes in the 3000 metres steeplechase.-Achievements:-Personal bests:*1500 metres - 3:39.93 min *3000 metres - 7:53.18 min... (6th) Edwin Soi Edwin Soi Edwin Cheruiyot Soi is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specializes in the 3000 and 5000 metres.His earliest honours were team gold medals with Kenya at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in 2006 and 2007... (9th) |
28 |
| Silver |  MoroccoMorocco Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara... Anis Selmouni Anis Selmouni Anis Selmouni is a Moroccan middle distance runner.At the 2007 World Cross Country Championships he finished thirteenth in the senior race, while the Moroccan team of which he was a part won the silver medal in the team competition.... (13th) Ahmed Baday Ahmed Baday Ahmed Ibrahim Baday is a Moroccan long-distance runner who specialized in the 5000 metres and cross-country running but now competes in road running competitions.... (17th) Abderrahim Goumri Abderrahim Goumri Abderrahim Goumri is a Moroccan long-distance runner. He has competed in cross country, track and road running, but is now a marathon specialist.... (20th) Abdelhadi El Mouaziz (30th) Mourad Marofit (32nd) Brahim Beloua (34th) |
146 |
| 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... Martin Toroitich Martin Toroitich Martin Kitiyo Toroitich is a Ugandan long-distance runner who specializes in the half marathon.His younger brother Boniface Kiprop Toroitich is a successful Ugandan runner.-Achievements:-Personal bests:... (9th) Moses Aliwa Moses Aliwa Moses Aliwa is a Ugandan long-distance runner.He finished sixth in 10,000 metres at the 2004 World Junior Championships. At the 2007 World Cross Country Championships he finished nineteenth in the senior race, while the Ugandan team of which he was a part won the bronze medal in the team... (19th) Isaac Kiprop (25th) Wilson Busienei Wilson Busienei Wilson Kipkemei Busienei is an Ugandan long-distance runner. He is best known for winning three gold medals at the 2005 Summer Universiade. He has represented his country at the World Championship level in cross country running and road running and on the track. He took part in the 2004 Summer... (36th) James Kibet (38th) Francis Musani (58th) |
185 |
| Complete Team Results | ||
Individual (8 KM)
| Medal | Athlete | Time |
| Gold | Asbel Kiprop Asbel Kiprop Asbel Kiprop is a Kenyan middle-distance runner who specializes in the 1500 metres. Kiprop was awarded the 1500 m gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics after the original winner, Rashid Ramzi, tested positive for doping... (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... ) |
24:07 min |
| Silver | Vincent Kiprop (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... ) |
24:12 min |
| Bronze | Mathew Kipkoech Kisorio (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... ) |
24:23 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... |
10 |
| Silver | Eritrea Eritrea 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... |
44 |
| Bronze |  EthiopiaEthiopia 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... |
54 |
| Complete Team Results |
Individual (8 KM)
| Medal | Athlete | Time |
| Gold |  Lornah KiplagatLornah Kiplagat Lornah Kiplagat is a Dutch long-distance runner. She was born in Kabiemit, Rift Valley Province, Kenya and came to the Netherlands in 1999. She gained Dutch citizenship in 2003 and has competed for the Netherlands since... (NED Netherlands The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders... ) |
26:23 min |
| Silver | 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... ) |
26:47 min |
| Bronze | 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... (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... ) |
26:48 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... (2nd) 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... (3rd) Gelete Burika (4th) Wude Ayalew (10th) |
19 |
| 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... Florence Jebet Kiplagat (5th) Pamela Chepchumba Pamela Chepchumba Pamela Chepchumba is an athlete from Kenya. Her best achievements are from cross country running.... (6th) Priscah Ngetich (7th) 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... (8th) |
26 |
| Bronze | Morocco Morocco Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara... Zhor El Kamch Zhor El Kamch Zhor El Kamch is a Moroccan long-distance runner.-Achievements:-Personal bests:*1500 metres - 4:08.09 *3000 metres - 8:34.85 *5000 metres - 14:42.53 *10,000 metres - 33:01.29... (11th) Mariem Alaoui Selsouli Mariem Alaoui Selsouli Mariem Alaoui Selsouli is a Moroccan middle- and long-distance runner. She was born in Marrakech.-Achievements:-Personal bests:*1500 metres - 4:00.77 min *3000 metres - 8:29.52 min *5000 metres - 14:36.52 min -References:... (17th) Hanane Ouhaddou Hanane Ouhaddou Hanane Ouhaddou is a Moroccan runner who specializes in the 3000 metres steeplechase.She finished fifth in at the 2006 African Championships and ninth at the 2007 World Championships.... (33rd) Malika Benlafkir (38th) |
99 |
| Complete Team Results |
Individual (6 KM)
| Medal | Athlete | Time |
| Gold | Linet Chepkwemoi Barasa (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... ) |
20:52 min |
| Silver | Mercy Kosgei (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... ) |
20:59 min |
| Bronze | Veronica Wanjiru (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... ) |
21:10 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... |
13 |
| Silver | Eritrea Eritrea 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... |
33 |
| Bronze | 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... |
36 |
| Complete Team Results |