BRIAN MUGUME

KENYA'S Joseph Ebuya won the senior men's race and Emily Chebet clinched the senior women's place to give Kenya a sweep of the gold medals at the world cross-country championships in Poland a week ago.

Ebuya finished the 12-kilometre in 33 minutes to give Kenya its ninth medal at the event in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

The last time Kenya won the 12km race was in 1999 when five-time World Cross Country champions Paul Tergat clinched his fifth and final gold medal in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This is also the first time in 15 years that Kenya has won all the individual titles in the World Cross Country Championships.

The last time they did so was in 1994 in Budapest, Hungary. Eritrea's Teklemariam Medhin finished six seconds back of the winner to claim silver, while Moses Ndiema Kipsiro of Uganda took the bronze at 10 seconds behind.

Kenya had fielded a strong team of runners who comprised of Paul Kipngetich Tanui, Lucas Kimeli Rotich, Hosea Mwok Macharinyang, Joseph Ebuya, Leonard Patrick Komon and Richard Kipkemboi Mateelong in the men's senior category.

Ebuya won the race in 33 minutes; Komon was third in 33 minutes and ten seconds, Mateelong came seventh in a time of 33:29, Tanui was eighth in a time of 33:30, Macharinyang was ninth in a time of 33:31 and Rotich finished 19th in a time of 33:58 respectively.

In the women category, Linet Masai was out-sprinted for gold by compatriot Emily Chebet. Chebet ran 24:19, one second ahead of Masai who came in second position in the women senior 8km race.

Uganda's quest for medal was led by Moses Ndiema Kipsiro who finished third, ten seconds behind Ebuya. Geoffrey Kusuro came in 16th position after clocking 33:54 while James Kibet finished 59th in a time of 35:24 and Martin Toroitich came in 79th position in a time of 35:52

Tanzania's pursuit was led by Fabiano Joseph Naasi who clocked 34:38 to finish in 31st position, three places ahead of his colleague Gitimi Shamba who clocked 34:41, Martin Hhaway Sulle finished 57th in a time of 35:01 while Marco Joseph clocked 35:20 respectively.

In the overall team standings, Kenya was first with Uganda 5t, Tanzania finished seventh in this year's event. Eritrea, Ethiopia and Morocco clinched second, 3rd and 4 th positions respectively.

Rwanda failed to make any impact.