Kenyans sweep races at world cross country championships

Kenyans sweep races at world cross country championships

Published Mar. 28, 2015 7:29 a.m. ET

GUIYANG, China (AP) Kenya's Geoffrey Kamworor outsprinted teammate Bedan Karoki to capture the men's title at the world cross country championships on Saturday, while 19-year-old Agnes Tirop of Kenya became the youngest winner in the women's race in 30 years.

Kamworor and Karoki led for much of the 12-kilometer (7.5-mile) race before Kamworor pulled away in the last 300 meters to win in 34 minutes, 52 seconds.

Karoki finished second in 35:00, while Ethiopia's Muktar Edris was third in 35:06.

In the women's race, Tirop outpaced Ethiopia's Senbere Teferi over the final 200 meters to win the 8-kilometer (5-mile) race in 26:01 to become the youngest champion since Britain's Zola Budd in 1985, who was 18.

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Teferi was second in 26:06 and teammate Netsanet Gudeta was third in 26:11.

Despite Kenya's individual victories, Ethiopia took the team titles in both the men's and women's races.

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