Skah, Jennings Keep Their Cross-Country Titles

American Lynn Jennings and Moroccan Khalid Skah retained their world cross-country titles at Antwerp, Belgium, Sunday.

Skah, 24, sprinted into the lead with 150 meters to go and held off Kenyans Moses Tanui and Simon Karori in winning the men’s title.

Jennings, 30, used a similar tactic in beating Ethiopia’s Tulu Derartu and Britain’s Liz McColgan.

Kenya won both the men’s and women’s team championships.

Skah and Jennings stayed behind the leaders during most of their races, preparing for their final bursts.

“I was always in the leading group and I was looking who would be the hardest to beat,” Skah said. He was timed in 33 minutes 53 seconds for 7 1/2 miles.

“I was confident that I would be in the right place at the right time,” said Jennings, who won the four-mile women’s race in 20:24.