Marta Alemayo on her way to winning the U20 women's race at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Belgrade 24 (© Adam Nurkiewicz)
Little known Ethiopian Marta Alemayo upset the pre-race favourites to emerge victorious in the U20 women’s race at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Belgrade 24.
The 15-year-old, who finished fourth at the Ethiopian trials, punched her hand in the air when crossing the finish line in 19:28 in a humid 24°C Friendship Park.
The teenager led an Ethiopian medal sweep, with Asayech Ayichew and Robe Dida finishing second and third in 19:32 and 19:38 respectively. After winning the three medals, Ethiopia successfully defended the individual title and also got the team title for the fifth consecutive edition since 2015.
Alemayo credited her victory and the Ethiopian performance to proper training.
From the outset, Alemayo and her compatriots made their intention clear, running from the front alongside the Kenyan and Ugandan athletes.
It was the Japanese Narumi Okumoto who set the tempo and led after the first few minutes, blowing the field open with a 50m advantage, but it was short-lived as Kenya’s Deborah Chemutai closed up the gap with the rest of the pack joining her.
The Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes continued to exchange the lead, maintaining a moderate pace through the first lap, with Uganda right behind.
The group of 13 athletes, led by Kenya’s Diana Cherotich, ran through the hay barrier – none choosing to jump over it – and then Alemayo took over. The second lap was covered in 6:07, with Ayichew and Cherotich leading the pack.
On the third lap, it was down to all six Ethiopian athletes running from the front. Alemayo covered the distance in 6:34.
As the race wound up, Alemayo, Ayichew and Dida commanded the race along with Kenya’s Sheila Jebet and Cherotich. With 800m to go, it was down to Alemayo and Ayichew.
Alemayo was too strong – she surged away and went on to cut the tape. Ayichew was close behind her for silver and Dida passed Jebet with 50m to go to get bronze.
“Yes, I was expecting to do well, and I am not surprised with the win,” said Alemayo. “The win is not important only in itself, but it will also help set up the rest of my career.
“We were well prepared for this race. We have great coaches, who give us a lot of support.”
The results again reflect the East African dominance, with no other athlete outside of Kenya or Ethiopia having won the U20 women’s world cross country title for 29 years.
Michelle Katami for World Athletics
| U20 WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL RESULTS | ||
| 🥇 | Marta Alemayo (ETH) | 19:28 |
| 🥈 | Asayech Ayichew (ETH) | 19:32 |
| 🥉 | Robe Dida (ETH) | 19:38 |
| 4 | Sheila Jebet (KEN) | 19:45 |
| 5 | Diana Cherotich (KEN) | 19:47 |
| 6 | Yenawa Nbret (ETH) | 19:50 |
| 7 | Deborah Chemutai (KEN) | 19:51 |
| 8 | Lemlem Nibret (ETH) | 20:01 |
| 9 | Shito Gumi (ETH) | 20:02 |
| 10 | Nowel Cheruto (UGA) | 20:04 |
| Full results | ||
| U20 WOMEN'S TEAM RESULTS | ||
| 🥇 | Ethiopia | 12 |
| 🥈 | Kenya | 28 |
| 🥉 | Uganda | 48 |
| Full results | ||
