Led by a dominant leadoff leg from three-time 1500m world champion Asbel Kiprop, Kenya brought home the gold in the mixed relay at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Kampala, Uganda. 

Kenya first relay World Champion in Cross. Very exciting event ! #Kampala2017 Great event with potential. Ethiopia 2nd / Turkey 3rd pic.twitter.com/2see17oA7S

— Lornah Kiplagat (@lornahkiplagat) March 26, 2017

Kiprop established a lead after the first 2K loop and the gap continued to grow with Winfred Nzisa Mbithe and Bernard Kipkorir Koros on the second and third legs. Koros handed off to Kenyan anchor Beatrice Chepkoech, who was faced with holding off Ethiopia's 1500m world champion Genzebe Dibaba. 

But Chepkoech kept her poise as the 1500m world record-holder chased her down on the final 2K loop. Despite splitting a blazing fast 5:27 split, Dibaba's run was not enough to catch Chepkoech as Team Kenya brought home the gold in the first event of the day. 

Kenya's team split a winning time of 22:22, Ethiopia followed for second in 22:30 and Turkey closed for third in 22:37. 

Team USA's quartet of Cory Leslie, Eleanor Fulton, Marisa Howard and Paul Chelimo finished in seventh overall with a time of 24:08.