Ethiopia’s Marta Alemayo successfully defended her U20 crown at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26 on Saturday.
The 17-year-old became only the fourth woman to win back-to-back U20 world cross-country titles, clocking 18:52 to claim victory in the 6km race by a convincing 26-second margin. Alemayo set the tone early, leading an Ethiopian trio through the challenging first kilometre, which featured the infamous ‘rollercoaster’ hill and sand pit in 3:02.
U20 Women’s Individual Results
🥇 Marta Alemayo (ETH) – 18:52
🥈 Wosane Asefa (ETH) – 19:18
🥉 Charity Cherop (UGA) – 19:19
4 Cynthia Chepkirui (KEN) – 19:22
5 Yenenesh Shimket (ETH) – 19:35
6 Joan Chepkurui (KEN) – 19:43
7 Bentalin Yeko (UGA) – 19:50
8 Mercy Chepngeno (KEN) – 19:52
9 Felister Chekwemoi (UGA) – 19:53
10 Peace Chebet (UGA) – 19:54
In the individual standings, Alemayo was joined on the podium by compatriot Wosane Asefa, who took silver in 19:18 after a fierce battle with Uganda’s Charity Cherop (19:19). Chepkirui of Kenya finished fourth in 19:22, with Ethiopia’s Yenenesh Shimket rounding out the top five in 19:35. The full top 10 was:
Uganda made history by clinching the team title, with four athletes in the top 10, edging Kenya and Japan in an incredibly close countback. This marked only the third time a nation outside Ethiopia and Kenya has won the U20 team crown since the event’s introduction in 1989. Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s streak of team podium finishes came to an end due to having only three athletes in action.
Alemayo’s victory was a masterclass in pacing and skill, particularly on the demanding ‘Alligator Alley’ section, where she hurdled logs and navigated sand and water pits with ease. Crossing the finish line unchallenged, she raised her hands to the sky, a fitting celebration of her successful title defense.
