By obtaining the World Athletics gold label, Carhaix has clearly entered the world of major cross country races. In the Kerampuilh meadow, Ugandan Belinda Chemutai won the race ahead of a Kenyan and two Ethiopians. Among the men, the young Kenyan Mathew Kipkoech Kipruto flew through the event in front of six other African athletes.
“Our limits are financial”
These high-level athletes put on a show and the specialists appreciated it, but the pelotons were far too thin to thrill the public. There were only 43 classified among the women, including the French who were competing there in their cross-country selection for the European Championships in Turkey on December 8. The men's race only brought together 16 crossmen. We were far from the fervor of the two Brittany cross court championships offered earlier in the day.
So will Carhaix be labeled gold again next year? Jean-Marc Béraud, the president of the League of Brittany, and his team will take the time to think because organizing world-level events comes at a cost. “Our limits are financial. A gold label gives us obligations. We have to take care of athletes. The two crosses could only be a “one shot” if we do not have the means to pursue them, if we are not helped by local authorities and private partners. Today, we are in a form of uncertainty. »
