Ethiopian runner Kenenisa Bekele has won an unprecedented fourth straight long-course title at the World Cross Country Championships in France.
Crushing his rivals over the 12 kilometer race in Saint-Galmier Sunday, Bekele crossed the finish line in 35:06:14 ahead of Eritrean Zersenay Tadesse (35:20). Abdullah Ahmad Hassan of Qatar took bronze (35.34). Bekele also won the 4,000 meter short course title Saturday. The 10,000 meter Olympic champion has eight World Cross Country titles.
Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba also won her second title, winning the women's short course event in 13:15. Dibaba edged compatriot Werknesh Kidane by one second (13:16). Isabelle Ochichi of Kenya took bronze, six seconds off the winning pace (13:21). Dibaba captured the women's 8,000 meter course race Saturday.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.