Obiri makes history in Aarhus

The Kenyan middle-distance runner and the current 5000 metres champion after winning gold in the 2017 World Championships Hellen Obiri made yet another athletics history on Saturday when she won the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, to become the first woman to lift world titles indoors, outdoors and at cross country.

 

Hellen Obiri ensured the senior women’s crown stayed with Kenya, winning at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships Aarhus 2019. By doing so, the world 5000m champion became the first woman in history to win senior world titles indoors, outdoors and at cross country. The only man to achieve such a feat is Kenenisa Bekele.

 

“It is really special, It was my debut IAAF World Cross Country Championships and my only chance to do it. I now don’t need to do any more cross country,” smiled Obiri after completing the 10.24km course in 36:14.

Obiri arrived in Aarhus in good form, having clocked 29:59 for 10km at the end of December and winning at the IAAF Cross Country Permit meeting in Elgoibar in January and at the Kenyan Cross Country Championships last month.

 

The 29-year-old had clearly also thought about her tactics ahead of this weekend. She led the race from the early stages and could be seen visibly leaning into the hill as she tackled the climb up the Moesgaard Museum roof on each lap.

 

“I thought you must look down, as you don’t want to look up to see where you are going and at how difficult the hill is. I knew it wasn’t going to be a test of speed, as it was a tough hill. It was all about mind games,” Said Obiri

Obiri who strode freely to the finish line first taking the number 1 spot, reached in 36:14, two seconds ahead of Dida, and Gidey third in 36:24. Chebet and Chemutai were fourth and fifth in 36:47 and 36:49, with Ethiopian Tsehay Gemechu sixth in 36:56. Chepkoech was seventh, with teammate Eve Cherona eighth. 21-year-old Moller moved up to 15th by the finish.

 

 

Dida and Gidey were happy with silver and bronze. After winning the U20 title at the past two World Cross Country Championships, Gidey had hoped to win but was full of smiles and explained she had enjoyed the race.

 

 

“It was a very good race for me, it was a surprise to take the silver medal. The competition was very good but it took place in a nice surrounding. The course was okay with mud, soil and sand, but a little difficult and Aarhus is a smart city and the weather was okay,” Said Gidey.

 

 

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