Ethiopian Gebremariam wins men's title

Ethiopian Gebre-egziabher Gebremariam won the men's world cross country title yesterday in a sprint finish from Ugandan Moses Kipsiro and Zersenay Tadese, of Eritrea.

Gebremariam clocked 35 minutes and two seconds over the testing 12-kilometre course at the Bisharat Golf Course north of the Jordanian capital, with both Kipsiro and 2007 champion Tadese placing just two seconds off the winner.

Up until the half-hour mark, there had been a group of 12 runners, but that was cut to six as the pace was upped, Qatar's Saif Saaeed Shaheen and Kenyan Moses Mosop two notable casualties.

Gebremariam made his mark in the final 50 metres of the gruelling ascent that led into the run-in to the finish line, keeping enough in reserve to outpace Kipsiro and Tadese.

"I didn't know until I crossed the finish line that I had won," said Gebremariam, who took the title in the absence of compatriot and defending champion Kenenisa Bekele.

"Kenenisa would have liked to be here and I know he'll be happy to see the results. I can't wait to see him."

Tadese, who scored a stunning upset over Bekele in Mombasa in 2007, expressed his satisfaction at having medalled despite not training specifically for the event.

"I am happy because I am deep in marathon training (for London)," he said. "It was very tough because I am doing lots of miles."