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Kiplimo joins the greats with second straight World XC win

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By Clay Shaw
With photography by Clay Shaw and Karen Mitchell

3.30.24 Belgrade, Serbia, World Athletics World Cross Country Championships Senior Men—Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda is fast, very fast.  Kiplimo won and set a new world record of 57:31 in the half marathon distance in Libson 2021.  He won Juniors in Kampala, Uganda in 2017, with the Ugandan president in the VIP stands watching!  He won World XC in Bathurst, Australia last year.  Kiplimo was second to teammate Joshua Cheptegei in Aarhus, Denmark in 2019.  He’s smart and tactical. 

The lead pack stayed together most of the race.  They didn’t bother to chase Hemraj Gurjar of India, who burst from the start like he was running the relay.  Gurjar would be caught after a mile and finished 88th in 33:56.28.  Other temporary leaders also found their way to short-lived moments in the front.  But Jacob Kiplimo put it away with huge acceleration on the final loop to win in 28:09.  He joins legends Kenenisa Bekele, Geoffrey Kamworor, and Paul Tergat as repeat champions.

Asked about his result, Kiplimo said:

“It actually feels more exciting to defend my title than to win the first one.  But it was also tougher.  I came here expecting I could win again, but the field was really strong.  The pace was fast, the guys kept pushing it and there was still a big group out in front.  It was not until the final 3 km that I felt I needed to move to the front.  I didn’t know anything about the course here in advance; I only learned how it looked when I arrived here two days ago.  But the course was fine, a little challenging with the obstacles.  It was a little tough running in the heat, but that was not a major issue.  I was hungry for medals after missing Budapest last year.  I was in good shape, but then the injury happened.  I had to get treatment, but I am back now.  My running hero is Joshua Cheptegei. My goal this year is to do what he did and win an Olympic gold.  My main focus is the 10,000m; I’m not sure yet if I want to double.”

Berihu Aregawi of Ethiopia was second in Bathurst, and was second again in Belgrade. Aregawi was just three seconds back in 28:12.  Later, he said: 

“Last year I was second, so I’m happy with the result.  My expectation was to win the gold medal, which I couldn’t accomplish, but I am so happy I got to finish this race in second place after all.  The conditions weren’t problematic for me because we are used to the heat.  I will come back next year and I will do everything that I can do to win the first place.  Before we came here, we prepared to give it our best, so I will do the same next time.”

Benson Kiplagat of Kenya was third, just two seconds back of Arewagi in 28:14.  Kiplagat trains in Japan.  Nicholas Kipkorir of Kenya was fourth in 28:16.  Samwel Masai of Kenya was fifth in 28:18. 2019 World XC champ and 2023 World XC bronze medalist Joshua Cheptegei was sixth in 28:24.

Kenya won the team title, Uganda was second, and Ethiopia was third. 4th Spain
5th Australia
6th Eritrea
7th USA
8th South Africa
9th Great Britain
10th Burundi

Anthony Rotich led the USA men in 22nd with a 29:22.  Emmanuel Bor was 25th in 29:37.  Ahmed Muhamed was 36th in 29:53, and Christian Allen in 37th with a 29:54 to score for the USA team. Anthony Canerieri was 52nd in 30:21, and Reid Buchanan was 58th in 30:27, as all six USA runners finished well.

111 runners finished the 10K.  39 of the athletes were under 30 minutes, despite the temperatures in the mid 80’s, artificial hills with big blue ramps, a sticky mud pit, staggered hay bales, and although mostly flat next to the Danube River, the ground was rough.

Once again kudos to the Belgrade24 organizers.

Top 30 Finishers

  1. 28:09 Jacob Kiplimo, Uganda
  2. 28:12 Berihu Aregawi, Ethiopia
  3. 28:14 Benson Kiplangat, Kenya
  4. 28:16 Nelson Kipkorir, Kenya
  5. 28:18 Samuel Masai, Kenya
  6. 28:24 Joshua Cheptegei, Uganda
  7. 28:31 Sabastian Sawe, Kenya
  8. 28:31 Gideon Kipkertich Rono, Kenya
  9. 28:36 Thierry Ndikumwenayo, Spain
  10. 28:38 Boki Diriba, Ethiopia
  11. 28:45 Dan Kibet, Uganda
  12. 28:50 Tadese Worku, Ethiopia
  13. 28:50 Hosea Kiplangat, Uganda
  14. 28:56 Martin Magengo Kiprotich, Uganda
  15. 29:01 Abderezak Suleman, Eritrea
  16. 29:05 Chimdessa Debele, Ethiopia
  17. 29:08 Aaron Las Heras, Spain
  18. 29:10 Leonard Chemutai, Uganda
  19. 29:15 Berehanu Tsegu, Ethiopia
  20. 29:16 Mehdi Frere, France
  21. 29:20 Bennett Seloyi, South Africa
  22. 29:22 Anthony Rotich, USA
  23. 29:22 Haftu Strintzos, Australia
  24. 29:22 Edward Marks, Australia
  25. 29:37 Emmanuel Bor, USA
  26. 29:38 Getachew Masresha, Ethiopia
  27. 29:39 Will Barnicoat, Great Britain
  28. 29:40 Merhawi Mebrahtu, Eritrea
  29. 29:43 Liam Adams, Australia
  30. 29:45 Patrick Tiernan, Australia
Jacob Kiplomo of Uganda is a happy and muddy athlete. Kiplomo joins the all-time greats as a 2-time champ.
Jacob Kiplomo of Uganda wins his second World Athletics World Cross Country Championship in a row. Kiplimo won in 28:09.
The USA Senior Men sort of pose for a team photo after the grueling race.
Anthony Rotich of USA finishes 22nd. Haftu Strintzos of Australia was 23rd, both timed at 29:22, as was Edward Marks in 24th (barely visible).
Aaron Las Heras of Spain finishes 17th in 29:08. Spain had a good meet and took fourth place among the fifteen teams.
Anthony Rotich and Emmanuel Bor of the USA were the top two Americans. The USA placed 7th in the team competition.
Hard to believe that Jacob Kiplomo was this far back on lap one.
Ahmed Muhumed of USA has a good lead on a secondary pack during the World XC Belgrade 24.
Hosea Kiplangat, Martin Kiprotich, and Leonard Chemutai of Uganda hurdle the hay bales.
Ahmed Muhumed of USA was 36th in 29:53. Wellington Varevi of Zimbawbe was 42nd in 30:07.
Reid Buchanan of USA strides through the mud pit along with Jean Marie Bukuru of Burundi.
USA runners Anthony Camerieri and Christian Allen plow through the mud pit, along with Awet Habte of Eritrea.
Chimdessa Debele of Ethiopia leads the pack of mostly Ugandans through the mud pit. Debele finished 16th in 29:05.
Ahmed Muhumed of USA in the mix of a long group of athletes.
Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda is content to run with the pack until the final lap. Uganda teammate Joshua Cheptegei shares the lead.
Old town of Belgrade looms large in the background as the leaders head forward in Friendship Park in New Belgrade.
Emmanuel Bor of the USA was 25th in 29:37 and second American.
Reid Buchanan of the USA powers through the challenging Belgrade XC course.
Mehdi Frere of France had the lead for a bit and finished 20th in 29:16. Berehanu Tsegu of Ethiopia was 19th in 29:15.
Zeljko Dabovic of Montenegro runs with the Fiji team Evueli Toia, Peni Bulikiobo, Pramesh Prasad, and Vishant Reddy.
Anthony Camerieri of USA was 52nd in 30:21. Nadeel Wildschutt of South Africa was 40th.
Christian Allen of USA was 37th in 29:54. Awet Habte of Eritrea was 32nd in 29:50. Nadeel Wildschutt of South Africa was 40th in 30:04.
Will Barnicoat of Great Britain was 27th in 29:39. Patrick Tiernan of Australia was 30th in 29:45.
Anthony Rotich of USA was top American, finishing 22nd in 29:22. Getachew Masresha of Ethiopia was 26th in 29:38.
Reid Buchanan of USA was 58th in 30:27.
Christian Allen and Anthony Camerieri of the USA run with Nadeel Wildschutt of South Africa. Allen finished 37th in 29:54.
Emmanuel Bor of the USA had a solid race, placing 25th in 29:37. Andries Sesedi of South Africa (next to Bor) was 33rd in 29:50. Australians Edward Marks was 24th in 29:22, and Zachary Facioni was 51st in 30:20.
Patrick Tiernan of Australia was 30th in 29:45. Running with Tiernan almost the entire way was Emile Hafashimana of Burundi who was 31st in 29:47.
Hemraj Gurjar of India bolted to a huge lead just after the start of the World Athletics World Cross Country Championships. He was caught by the pack after nearly a mile and finished 88th in 33:56.
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