DUBLIN, March 24: Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia staked his claim to a place in athletics history Sunday by winning the senior men’s long-course title at the world cross-country championships.

The 19-year-old collected a second gold medal just 24 hours after winning the short-course title, the first man to achieve such a double since the 4km short race was introduced to the championships in 1998.

He also became the youngest winner of the sport’s classic winter event, which has its roots in international races first staged in 1903.

Perhaps all the more amazing was the apparent ease of Bekele’s victory as he covered the 12km course in 34 minutes 52 seconds, easing up to beat Tanzania’s John Yuda by six seconds at Leopardstown racecourse.

Kenyan Wilberforce Talel was third in 35:20.

Kenya’s Edith Masai won the women’s short-course race to enjoy the biggest pay-day of her brief running career.

The event also rewarded the hosts’ efforts in staging the two-day competition with the Irish women’s team winning the bronze medal.

Masai, a 34-year-old prison warder and mother, beat Ethiopia’s Werknesh Kidane to finish the 4km event in 13min 30sec, six seconds clear of her rival.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS:

MEN’S LONG-COURSE (12km): 1. Kenensia Bekele (Ethiopia) 34 minutes 52 seconds; 2. John Yuda (Tanzania) 34:58; 3. Wilberforce Talel (Kenya) 35:20

WOMEN’S SHORT-COURSE (4km): 1. Edith Masai (Kenya) 13:30; 2. Werknesh Kidane (Ethiopia) 13:36; 3. Isabella Ochichi (Kenya) 13:39.—Reuters