Double delight for Uganda at Cardiff Cross Challenge

A month after staging the city’s biggest ever half marathon, Cardiff hosted one of the UK’s top cross country events.

The Cardiff Cross Challenge saw 2,500 runners descend on Llandaff Fields on Saturday with some of the world’s leading athletes racing alongside domestic and grassroots club competitors.

Now in its 27th year, the event is part of the British Athletics Cross Country Challenge Series, with runners looking to secure their place at the European Cross Country Championship in Liverpool next month.

In the senior races there was double glory for Uganda as Keneth Kiprop retained his men’s title, while Charity Cherop claimed the women’s crown.

Kiprop finished the men's race in 27:06, once again beating Vincent Mutai of Kenya, with Uganda’s Daniel Kibet in third.

Cheprop completed the shorter women’s course in 20:15, just ahead of Kenya’s Sheila Jebet and Belgrave Harrier Kate Axford.

Home favourite Cari Hughes was just 10 seconds behind Cheprop in fourth.

“I didn’t really know what to expect, it’s the first one of the season,” Hughes said.

“In off season I did a big block of five weeks in St Moritz, so I am really happy to come away with fourth.

“[Cross Country] is good fun, it’s more relaxed than the track. I actually really loved the course, it’s fast and the hills are tough, but it makes it fun.”

The top Welsh finisher in the men's senior race was Swansea Harrier Dafydd Jones who crossed the line in 11th with a time of 28:02.

“It was a really good field. There were a fair few Europeans here, a lot of the Dutch guys, and a fair few East Africans as well. So, I felt like it was a good field to compare myself to," said Jones.

“It's actually really encouraging that Wales is putting on such a great cross country event.

“It’s a really good course. I feel like every year it sort of changes, depending on the conditions. It was a fast course today, quite a few firm spots and few muddy spots. It’s testing, but it's quick.”