Source: World Athletics
Marta Alemayo successfully defended her u20 title with an impressive display at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships held in Tallahassee on Saturday, 10 January.
The 17-year-old athlete made history by becoming the fifth woman to secure consecutive world u20 Cross-Country titles, finishing the 6km race in a time of 18:52, which was 26 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor.
World Athletics announced that Alemayo secured the top position, leading an Ethiopian one-two finish, as Wosane Asefa triumphed in a fierce contest for the silver medal, narrowly defeating Uganda’s Charity Cherop with times of 19:18 to 19:19. With her third-place finish, Cherop made history as the first athlete from a country other than Kenya or Ethiopia to reach the u20 women’s podium since the 2000 edition, and she also became Uganda’s inaugural women’s individual medallist at the World Cross Country Championships.
With four competitors finishing in the top 10, Cherop guided Uganda to a remarkable team title, surpassing both Kenya and Japan. The competition was extremely tight, and Uganda secured the team championship on countback, becoming only the third nation, following Kenya and Ethiopia, to achieve this team gold since the u20 race was established at the World Cross Country Championships in 1989.
With only three Ethiopian athletes competing – one short of the four required for team scoring – the country’s streak of reaching the team podium at every event since 1991 came to a close.
However, Alemayo ensured her impact was recognised in the individual race, quickly positioning herself at the front, guiding the Ethiopian trio through the first kilometre, which featured the challenging ‘rollercoaster’ hill and sand pit in a time of 3:02.
By the conclusion of the initial 2km loop, a group of eight had separated from the pack, with Alemayo alongside her fellow countrywomen Asefa and Yenenesh Shimket, as well as Kenya’s Cynthia Chepkirui and Joan Chepkurui, and Uganda’s Cherop, Felister Chekwemoi, and Bentalin Yeko.
As they commenced the second loop, Alemayo surged ahead, disrupting the lead pack. By the third kilometre, the defending champion was accompanied only by Chepkirui and Asefa, with Cherop trailing them by four seconds.
| U20 WOMEN’S TEAM RESULTS | ||
| 🥇 | Uganda | 29 |
| 🥈 | Kenya | 29 |
| 🥉 | Japan | 87 |
| Full results | ||
As they arrived at ‘Alligator Alley’, characterised by its carved log obstacles, Alemayo effortlessly cleared the barriers and began to distance herself from her competitors. With a seven-second lead, she commenced the final 2km loop, and the title appeared to be hers to lose.
Alemayo maintained a significant lead as she approached the sand and water pits for the last time, while Chepkirui and Asefa were engaged in a fierce contest behind her. However, they were out of sight as Alemayo leaped over the logs for the final time, running unopposed to cross the finish line in 18:52. She raised her hands in triumph and gazed skyward, celebrating her successful title defense.
“I am very happy with my second consecutive gold medal and to be joined by Wosane on the podium,” said Alemayo, who joined Viola Kibiwot, Genzebe Dibaba, Faith Kipyegon and Letesenbet Gidey in winning two consecutive u20 titles. “We trained in cooler weather at home so we had to adjust. That was the biggest difference from the 2024 World Championships. We prepared as a team and I am glad we won gold and silver today.
“My next plan is to run indoors and I hope to compete at the World Indoor Championships in March.”
Cherop made a strong effort to overtake the competitors, but steeplechase expert Asefa maintained his position to claim the silver medal after a final sprint. Cherop achieved a historic bronze, while Chepkirui secured fourth place with a time of 19:22. Shimket completed the top five with a time of 19:35.
The athletes from Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya occupied the first 13 positions, with Japan’s Yui Onotora finishing in 14th place. Blair Bartlett was the highest-placed finisher for the host country, coming in at 16th.
| U20 WOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL RESULTS | ||
| 🥇 | Marta Alemayo (ETH) | 18:52 |
| 🥈 | Wosane Asefa (ETH) | 19:18 |
| 🥉 | Charity Cherop (UGA) | 19:19 |
| 4 | Cynthia Chepkirui (KEN) | 19:22 |
| 5 | Yenenesh Shimket (ETH) | 19:35 |
| 6 | Joan Chepkurui (KEN) | 19:43 |
| 7 | Bentalin Yeko (UGA) | 19:50 |
| 8 | Mercy Chepngeno (KEN) | 19:52 |
| 9 | Felister Chekwemoi (UGA) | 19:53 |
| 10 | Peace Chebet (UGA) | 19:54 |
| Full results | ||