Athletics: Alistair Cragg, forced out of the European Cross Country through illness last month, finished sixth on his return to competitive action in Belfast this afternoon
The European indoor 3,000m champion faded after a strong start at the Belfast International Cross Country at Stormont but hung on determinedly for sixth place.
The race became a battle between two 19-year-olds and ended with Barnabas Kosgei of Kenya surprisingly out-sprinting Moses Kipsiro from Uganda to register Africa's 13th win in the last 15 years.
Kipsiro, whose track times suggested he would be favourite on the firm going, finished five metres adrift of the strong-finishing Kosgei, who was motivated by his determination to improve on his third place last year.
Defending champion Dathan Ritzenhein finished third.
Ethiopia's Etalemu Kidane sprinted to her second successive victory in the women's race.
Kidane, who won a thrilling race by millimetres 12 months ago, finished three metres clear of her compatriot, Deribe Alemu, with Ashu Kasim completing an Ethiopian 1-2-3 in the 5,930 metre race.
Ireland's Mary Cullen had bravely led to halfway and held on strongly to take fourth place, She was followed home by English 23-year-old Kate Reed.