Ethiopian runners dominate in Hannut

It was cold and it was icy but it did not stop the dominance of the Ethiopians who occupied the top places on the podium at the Lotto Cross Cup de la province de Liège in Hannut, Belgium.

Yimer Ayalew won the men's race and Sofiya Shemsu took the women's event, both with dominant performances.

The Belgian youngsters could not challenge the speed of Ayalew, 19, who took the lead from the start as he led an African clean sweep.

Ayalew won in 30.16 from Kenya's David Bett in 30.43 with Ethiopian Fekru Jenesa third in 30.44.

Belgium's Veerle Dejaeghere, one of the country's greatest country-cross runners, did her best to compete with the Ethiopian women.

But the pace of Shemsu, Birtukan Adamu and Hatftamnesh Tesfay was too strong.

Dejaeghere ran her own race and finished fifth in 20.51 as Ethiopia took the first four places with Shemsu winning in 20.40, Adamu second in 20.42, Tesfay third in 20.44 and Sifam Hassan fourth in 20.48.