By Lubulwa Edrine
The Ugandan long distance runner, Jacob Kiplimo successfully defended his world cross country title in Belgrade, making it three consecutive triumphs for Uganda in the senior men’s race.
He became just the fourth man to have won back-to-back senior men’s titles, joining Kenenisa Bekele, Paul Tergat and Geoffrey Kamworor. Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi, the leader in the cross country world rankings took silver, as he did in 2023, and Kenya’s Benson Kiplangat earned bronze. The team title went to Kenya ahead of Uganda and Ethiopia.
After winning the world cross country championship, Kiplimo stated that, “It actually feels more exciting to successfully defend my title than to win the first one, but it was also harder. I came here expecting to win again, but the field was really strong.”
“I was hungry for a medal,” added Kiplimo, the world record holder in the half marathon.
Uganda’s Kiplimo said the title was the perfect morale boost and course was good, though a bit challenging with the obstacles.
World Cross Country Championships medalists
Gold: Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 28:09
Silver: Berihu Aregawi (ETH) 28:12
Bronze: Benson Kiplangat (KEN) 28:14
