Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele, runner-up in last year's event, went one better today to triumph in the 4km short-course race at the 30th IAAF World Cross Country Championships at Leopardstown racecourse.
The 19-year-old, who won last year's world junior title by a record margin in Ostend, powered away from a posse of Kenyan rivals over the final lap to win in 12 minutes and 11.
Kenya's Luke Kipkosgei clinched the silver medal in 12:18, with Ethiopia's Hailu Mekonnen third in 12:20.
Australia's Craig Mottram finished strongly as the first non-African in fifth place as Kenya took the team title from Ethiopia.
Bekele is expected to run in tomorrow’s 12km race, where Morocco-born Belgian Mohammed Mourhit is bidding to win the title for the third successive year.