Kapchorwa terrain prepared Kiplimo to conquer the Bathurst test

Jacob Kiplimo believes the rugged landscape and terrain in Kapchorwa where most of the Ugandan athletes hail from helped him to adapt to the tough course at the 2023 World Cross Country in Bathurst, Australia on Saturday.

Kapchorwa is located on the slopes of Mt Elgon in eastern Uganda.

Kiplimo stunned a number of elite names including his compatriot Joshua Cheptegei to become the new champion of World Cross Country.

“The course was really good,” Kiplimo told World Athletics media.

He added: “Even with lots of wind, it was really intense. I think for me it was really good because there are lots of hills where we train in Uganda. It was not easy but I did my best.”

Conqueror

Kiplimo clocked 29 minutes and 17 seconds, 11 and 20 seconds better than Ethiopian champion Berihu Aregawi and Cheptegei who took silver and bronze respectively.

The three pushed two-time champion Geoffrey Kamworor out of the podium for the first time since 2013.

Senior men’s results

1. Jacob Kiplimo – 29:17

2. Berihu Aregawi – 29:26

3. Joshua Cheptegei - 29:37

4. Geoffrey Kamworor – 29:37

5. Kibiwott Kandie – 29:57