Not for the first time did a World Cross Country Championship boil down to a straight battle between Kenya and Ethiopia, the countries who between them have provided the last 16 team champions.

The barefoot Abraham Cherono, reigning Kenyan Schools Steeplechase Champion, led the way from the start, sprinting up the first hill and fronting a pack of around 25 through the first kilometre in 2:45. The USA’s Gabe Jennings was in the pack, but he and the other non-Africans began to lose touch as Richard Limo, the Kenyan Junior Cross Country Champion, took his turn in front at the incline which marked the start of the first long lap. Million Wolde, the Ethiopian who was second in this race last year and 8th in 1995, looked untroubled and simply tracked the leading Kenyan.

The Kenyans were not prepared to do all the pace-making and Wolde found himself in front at 3km (8:34). He looked just as comfortable in the lead as he had in the pack. At this stage Adil El Kaouch of Morocco was the only prominent runner from outside of Kenya or Ethiopia. It was him, six Kenyan and five Ethiopians in the leading pack on the second and penultimate lap. Kenyan newcomer Kiyara Kamzee led at 5k (14:22).

Limo, who was often seen to be veering across the width of the course, made an effort to get away as the runners approached the final lap. Ominously for Kenya, Wolde and Haylu Mekonen were quick to respond while the other Kenyans lost contact temporarily. Into the last lap there were four Kenyans and four Ethiopians in a leading group of eight, which began to lap tail-enders.

Would it be Kenya’s or Ethiopia’s day ? It was the taller, more experienced Wolde who confidently took over from Limo midway into the last lap. He pulled away easily to win, leaving Limo to pip Mekonen for the silver. With the other runners strung out behind in a line, it was clear before they finished that Ethiopia would also take fourth and eighth place with Kenyan occupying places 5-7. It meant that Ethiopia had, by the narrow margin of four points, had won back the team title after a gap of 11 years.

Morocco took the bronze even though their top runner, World 10,000m finalist Saïd Berrioui, was their last runner to finish in 85th place.

"I am very happy to have finally taken the title after being second," said Wolde. "This was my expectation," he added.