Kenyan duo lead cross charge

Bydgoszcz, Poland - Kenya dominated the World Cross Country Championships on Sunday, Japhet Korir pulling off a shock victory in the men's race and Emily Chebet claiming the women's title.

Korir, 19, struck early on the last lap to leave Ethiopia's defending champion Imane Merga in his wake.

Korir, who was only sixth in the Kenyan trials, finished the gruelling, undulating 12km course around the snowy Myslecinek Park in 32min 45sec.

But Korir's five teammates' results were not great and the Kenyan team dropped out of the top two in team standings for the first time since 1984.

Merga claimed silver to lead Ethiopia to the top of the team standings, with the United States taking second place.

Teklemariam Medhin of Eritrea took the race bronze.

In the women's race, Kenya's Chebet ran a superb tactical race after allowing Ethiopian favourite Hiwot Ayalew to set the pace.

Ayalew acclerated away in the second of the four laps but Chebet ate into her lead bit by bit before joining her on the final hill.

The Kenyan then sped away at the 200 metres mark to win the race, her second world title after previously winning here in 2010.

Ayalew took silver while her compatriot Belaynesh Oljira finished third.

In the junior races, Faith Kipyegon of Kenya defended her women's title, but the men's race went the way of Ethiopia, Hagos Gebrhiwet outsprinting Leonard Barsoton for the victory.

World athletics cross country championship results on Sunday:

Seniors

Women

1. Emily Chebet (KEN) 24min 24sec, 2. Hiwot Ayalew (ETH) 24:27, 3. Belaynesh Oljira (ETH) 24:33

Men

1. Japhet Korir (KEN) 32:45, 2. Imane Merga (ETH) 32:51, 3. Teklemariam Medhin (ERI) 32:54

Juniors

Women

1. Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon (KEN) 17:51, 2. Agnes Jebet Tirop (KEN) 17:51, 3. Alemitu Heroye (ETH) 17:57

Men

1. Hagos Gebrhiwet (ETH) 21:04, 2. Leonard Barsoton (KEN) 21:08, 3. Muktar Edris (ETH) 21:13