2017

Patrick Tiernan impresses at the world cross country championships as the first finisher without African heritage ©Athletics Australia

Tiernan shows cross country strength in Kampala – Athletics Australia – News

By GRR 0

Patrick Tiernan (Qld) has impressed at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, crossing 13th in the hotly contested men’s open race in Kampala (UGA).

Battling humid conditions, the Rio 2016 Olympian, Tiernan, looked comfortable among the leaders as he sat with them for much of the first half of the 12-kilometre race.

Never slipping too far from the pace, Tiernan crossed the line in a time of 29:17, notably, the first finisher without African heritage. The strong result sits alongside his NCAA cross-country crown and the Australian 10,000m Championship gold medal in Melbourne (Vic) from the latter half of 2016.

His result ensures he is among the top-five all-time performers for Australia in the men’s race at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, with only Rob de Castella, Steve Moneghetti, Craig Mottram and Collis Birmingham the only athletes to finish in a higher position than him.

The Australian men’s team placed 8th overall, with Jack Rayner (Vic, 40th, 30:30) the first past the post after Tiernan. Sam McEntee (WA, 49th, 30:59), Stewart McSweyn (Tas, 52nd, 31:05) and Liam Adams (Vic, 61st, 31:27) rounded out the green and gold results, as Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) won the individual gold and Kenya the team crown.

In the women’s 10-kilometre event, Anna Kelly (Vic) was best, crossing the line in 31st place in a time of 35:20. The next Australian starter to cross was Gemma Maini (Vic) in 56th (36:54), with Emily Ryan (ACT) the third best in 62nd (37:12).

Amelia Mazza-Downie (NSW) was the best placed Australian in the junior girl’s race, crossing 35th, with Kieran Tall (NSW) leading the boys in 48th (26:03).

Full results:

Senior Men

Place	Athlete	Time
13	Patrick Tiernan	29:17
40	Jack Rayner	30:30
49	Sam McEntee	30:59
52	Stewart McSweyn	31:05
61	Liam Adams	31:27
–	Brett Robinson	DNF
8/18	Australia	154

Senior Women

Place	Athlete	Time
31	Anna Kelly	35:20
56	Gemma Maini	36:54
62	Emily Ryan	37:12
77	Virginia Moloney	38:19
80	Lexy Gilmour	39:11
81	Bridey Delaney	39:51
14/16	Australia	226

U20 Men

Place	Athlete	Time
48	Kieren Tall	26:03
55	David Lean	26:24
65	Zach Facioni	26:48
66	Edward Trippas	26:50
68	Joshua Phillips	26:57
75	Callum McClusky	27:18
12/16	Australia	234

U20 Women

Place	Athlete	Time
35	Amelia Mazza-Downie	21:28
44	Lauren Ryan	21:56
67	Georgia Evans	22:35
73	Clio Ozanne-Jaques	22:53
77	Courtney Hopkins	23:03
13/16	Australia	219

For more information on the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, including results that feature split times, please click here.

Athletics Australia – News

World Cross Stats – By K Ken Nakamura

Men senior race

One point difference between first and second place team is the second lowest

in the history of men's senior race.

Previously, KEN and ETH tied in both 2009 and 2015

22points is the second lowest team score for the second place team.

Previously, in 2015 KEN scored 20points, which is the lowest ever score for the second place.

Kamworor became first back to back victory in men's senior race since Kenenisa Bekele

He became 10th runner to win the men's senior race multiple times

For the two straight World Cross Country Championships, KEN won gold and silver in the men's senior race

For the two consecutive World Cross, KEN won both men and women's senior race.

Women's Senior race

21 sec difference between 3rd and 4th is the largest ever in the senior women's race.

Previously, 20 sec difference between 3rd and 4th in 1983 is the largest in history.

Winning score of 10 points is the smallest ever in the history of senior Women's race.

Previously 14 points in 2009 and 2010 was the smallest in the history of senior women's race.

Winning score of 10 points never happened in the men's senior race, but in the junior race,

it was quite common.

In the men's junior race KEN scored 10 points in 1993, 2000, 2005, 2007 and 2010

In the women's junior race KEN scored 10 points in 1993, 2006 and 2010

while ETH scored 10 points in 2004

First medal sweep (actually first six place) in women's senior race.

Junior men's race

1 point difference between 3rd and 4th place team tied the smallest ever in history of junior men's race.

Previously, the difference was 1 point in 2005 and 2007

Jacob Kiplimo won first individual gold for UGA in junior women's race

Junior women's race

23 sec winning margin is the second largest in the history of junior women's race.

Previously, 27 sec by Burka in 2005 is the largest in the history of junior women's race.

1 point difference between first and second place team is the second smallest difference in the history of junior women's race.

Previously, KEN and ETH tied at 18 point in 2009

Gidey became only the fourth runner to win junior women's race twice.

Previously, Viola Kibiwot, Genzebe Dibaba and Faith Kipyegon won twice.

Full results:

World Cross Stats – By K Ken Nakamura

author: GRR