Olympics 3000m Steeplechase Champion Peruth Chemutai has returned to winning ways after reigning supreme at the World Athletics Cross Country Gold meeting 2022 edition on Sunday in Hannut, Belgium.
The 22-year-old meant business in Hannut, taking the lead right from the gun. Beatrice Chebet and Prisca Chesang tried to hold on as the Olympic champion set a mighty pace. Chesang was the first to get dropped as her compatriot powered on. Chebet, who participated at the World Indoor Tour Gold meeting in Lievin on Thursday, did everything she could to maintain the pace, but it was Chemutai who would head into the final two laps with a lead of about 10 seconds.
Chemutai broke the tape after clocking 20:43, grabbing her first win of the year. Chesang came in third, over half a minute behind Chebet.
This was Chemutai’s first win since bringing home a gold medal from Tokyo Olympics. Last week, she came second in the National Cross-Country Championship in Tororo. Mercyline Chelangat won the race.