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Beatrice Chebet Roars Down the Homestretch in a Dramatic Victory

By mitchpa on February 21, 2023 • ( 0 )

By Clay Shaw
Photography by Clay Shaw and Karen Mitchell

Bathurst, Australia, February 18, 2023, World Athletics Cross Country Championships Bathurst 23—Beatrice Chebet of Kenya was seemingly resigned to a second-place finish in the senior women’s 10K. (Note to readers: ‘Senior’ is a term widely used around the world to denote racers over 20-years-old.) Beatrice, who is 22, won in 33:48 on the difficult, hot and dusty course at Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit.

Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia, the world record holder in the 5000 and 10,000 meters and half-marathon distances, was well on her way to win her first World Cross senior title. Unseen by many, Gidey ran into a lapped runner in “the chicane,” an area of big racing-car tires and a hairpin turn approximately 200 meters prior to the finish line. Still, she maintained her lead coming down the finish, but began to slow and did not run the tangent near the hay bales. Chebet, who cut the tangent at the top of the hill with a long, hard, dedicated sprint caught Gidey with 20 yards to go. Gidey then collapsed, at which point two coaches jumped onto the course and helped Gidey to her feet. Tsigie Gebreselama of Ethiopia, went by for second place, in 33:56. Agnes Ngetich of Kenya went by to take third in 34:00. Gidey finished fourth, but was disqualified for receiving aid from someone other than another athlete. The DQ cost Ethiopia a few team points, but would have finished second to Kenya anyway.

Grace Nawowuna of Kenya was fourth in 34:30. Fotyen Tesfay of Ethiopia was fifth in 34:30. East African dominance was extreme, as runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda took the first thirteen places. Nozomi Tanaka of Japan was 14^th in 35:08, which was the best place by a non-African-born athlete since Neely Spence Gracey of the USA placed 13^th in Bydgoszcz, Poland in 2013.

Ednah Kurgat of the USA was 18^th in 35:36. Weini Kelati was 21^st in 35:48. Katie Izzo was 31^st in 36:25. Allie Buchalski was 33^rd in 36:37. Emily Lipari was 56^th in 39:06. Team USA was fifth behind Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Australia. Team USA was ahead of Great Britain, South Africa, Canada, Spain, New Zealand, and Lebanon.

Editor’s Note: On modern racing circuits, ‘chicanes’ are usually located after a long straight to prevent vehicles from reaching speeds deemed to be unsafe. Example is “The Chase” at Mount Panorama. This edition of World Cross Country was held on the grounds of Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit.

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