Kenyan athlete Edith Masai has won her third stright women's 4km World Cross Country title in Brussels. The 36-year-old saw off the challenges of Ethiopian world 5000m champion Tirunesh Dibaba and compatriot Teyiba Terkesso in a sprint finish.
Masai, who took the lead at the halfway stage, clocked 13 minutes and seven seconds, to win by two seconds.
Helen Pattinson and Kathy Butler finished 19th and 20th as Great Britain consolidated fifth position overall.
Benita Johnson, who upset the Ethiopian favourites to win the 8km title on Saturday, pulled out of the race at the last moment.
The Australian said she could not regain her focus following her victory the previous day.
Kenyan-born Lorna Kiplagat of the Netherlands pulled out with an Achilles tendon problem.
Ethiopia won the team gold, ahead of Kenya and Canada.
Women's 4km positions:
1 Edith Masai (Ken) 13 mins 07 secs
2 Tirunesh Dibaba (Eth) 13:09
3 Tebya Erkesso (Eth) 13:11
4 Werknesh Kidane (Eth) 13:14
5 Isabella Ochichi (Ken) 13:18
6 Olga Romanova (Rus) 13:19
7 Peninah Jepchumba (Ken) 13:22
8 Vivian Cheruiyot (Ken) 13:23
9 Jane Wanjiku (Ken) 13:23
10 Ejegayehu Dibaba (Eth) 13:23 Teams:
1 Ethiopia 19 points
2 Kenya 21
3 Canada 87
MMIX
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