Bekele claims unique double

Ethiopian Bekele re-wrote the record books

Click here for results

Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele became the first man to win both the world cross country short and long races.

The 19-year-old won the 12km event in a time of 34min 52sec, beating Tanzania's John Yuda by six seconds while Kenyan Wilberforce Talel was third, another 22sec in arrears.

Masai took the short-course title for Kenya

Kenyan prison officer Edith Masai won the women's short-course title at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Last year's silver medallist, who took up running to provide for her son after she spilt with her husband in 1999, sprinted clear in the final straight of the 4km race to finish in 13min 30sec.

Bekele became the first man to win both races in the same year after sealing the 4.2-kilometre title on Saturday.

Bekele broke clear on the foruth of the six laps and comfortably held off the challenge from the high-class field.

In the women's short event, Sonia O'Sullivan, who only had a baby in late December, finished seventh to help Ireland into a surprise bronze medal position.

Masai was delighted with her win but was also relieved the championships had not been a month later.

"The championships came too soon for Sonia O'Sullivan, though if it had been held next month she could well have beaten me to the title," said Masai.

Sonia O'Sullivan came home in seventh spot

"This is as good a feeling I have ever had in the past for Ireland. Today I laid the foundations for my summer season - I believe my fastest times still have to come," said O'Sullivan.

The organisers originally gave the bronze to Russia, who had finished level on points with Ireland but had been given the medal because their fourth finisher was better placed than the host country's.

But after another look at the overall results, the judges found that Russia had 86 points to Ireland's 85, meaning the Irish had edged it by a point.

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Results:

Men's results (12km)
1. Kenenisa Bekele, Ethiopia, 34:52.
2. John Yuda, Tanzania, 34:58.
3. Wilberforce Talel, Kenya, 35:20.
4. Richard Limo, Kenya, 35:26.
5. Charles Kamathi, Kenya, 35:29.
6. Albert Chepkurui, Kenya, 35:32.
7. Abderrahim Goumri, Morocco, 35:43.
8. Yonas Kifle, Eritrea, 35:47.
9. Enoch Mitei, Kenya, 35:49.
10. Jaouad Gharib, Morocco, 35:57.

Teams:
1. Kenya, 18 points.
2. Ethiopia, 43.
3. Morocco, 58.
4. France, 71.
5. United States, 107.

Women's results (4.2km)
1. Edith Masai, Kenya, 13:30.
2. Werknesh Kidane, Ethiopia, 13:36.
3. Isabella Ochichi, Kenya, 13:39.
4. Benita Johnson, Australia, 13:42.
5. Suzy Favor-Hamilton, United States, 13:47.
6. Abebech Negussie, Ethiopia, 13:53.
7. Sonia O'Sullivan, Ireland, 13:55.
8. Amina Godana, Ethiopia, 14:00.
9. Rosanna Martin, Italy, 14:01.
10. Anne Keenan-Buckley, Ireland, 14:03.

Teams:
1. Ethiopia, 32 points.
2. Kenya, 34.
3. Ireland, 85.
4. Russia, 86.
5. Australia, 86.

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