As reported by the World Athletics, Edinah Jebitok notched up her third Gold-level victory in this season’s World Athletics Cross Country Tour. At the same time, Yves Nimubona became the first Rwandan man to win at the Energyvision CrossCup Hannut on Sunday (21).

The two races played out in contrast, Jebitok taking the women’s title by a 39-second margin and Nimubona holding off a strong challenge from Eritrea’s Merhawi Mebrahtu to win the men’s race by one second.

In freezing conditions with snow covering the 9km course, Jebitok didn’t hang around. Fellow Kenyans Pamela Kosgei and Faith Chepkoech did their best to stay with her in the first kilometer, but Jebitok soon broke from her opponents and set off on a solo run.

With Jebitok pushing the pace out in front, the rest of the field soon strung behind her. Kosgei held on to second place throughout, but Britain’s Megan Keith reeled in Chepkoech after 20 minutes to move into third place.

Jebitok was away and clear, though, and crossed the line in 31:01. Kosgei was a comfortable runner-up in 31:40, eight seconds clear of Keith. Chepkoech placed fourth in 32:34.

In the men’s race, a five-person pack emerged on the first lap comprising Nimubona, Mebrahtu, Kibet Kandie, Guillaume Grimard, and Rogers Kibet.

Eventual winner Yves Nimubona leads the pack in Hannut (© AFP / Getty Images)

At halfway, Nimubona, Mebrahtu, and Kandie had broken away to form a lead trio. Further back, Urugray’s Santiago Catroffe had moved past Grimard into fourth place.

With 22 minutes on the clock, Mebrahtu moved into the lead. Kandie had dropped back, but Nimubona stayed on Mebrahtu’s shoulder.

At the bell, Kandie was no longer in contention for victory but still had a comfortable lead over the rest of the field. With less than two minutes of running remaining, Nimubona regained the lead. Mebrahtu stayed close behind, but Nimubona kicked once the finish line was in sight and won in 28:29.

Mebrahtu finished one second behind, while Kandie took third place in 28:42, just holding off a fast-finishing Catroffe by one second.

Leading results

Women (9km)
1 Edinah Jebitok (KEN) 31:01
2 Pamela Kosgei (KEN) 31:40
3 Megan Keith (GBR) 31:48
4 Faith Chepkoech (KEN) 32:34
5 Jana van Lent (BEL) 33:18
6 Lili Anna Vindics-Toth (HUN) 33:46

Men (9km)
1 Yves Nimubona (RWA) 28:29
2 Merhawi Mebrahtu (ERI) 28:30
3 Kibet Kandie (KEN) 28:42
4 Santiago Catroffe (URU) 28:43
5 Guillaume Grimard (BEL) 28:56
6 Isaac Kimeli (BEL) 29:14