Amman, Jordan  - Florence Kiplagat ended a 15-year drought for Kenya at the cross-country running world championships on Saturday while Ethiopia got another win in the men's race from Gebre-egziabher Gebremariam.

Kiplagat came from behind to beat compatriot Linet Masai, who had built what appeared a decisive advantage in the closing stages, by three seconds in the 8-kilometres race.

Kiplagat clocked 26 minutes 13 seconds, Masai had 26:16 and third-places Ethiopian Meselech Melkamu was another three seconds behind on 26:19.

It was the first Kenyan women's race win since 1994 and the first overall since Paul Tergat won a fifth straight men's title in 1999.

But it was the only individual Kenyan title on the day as rivals Ethiopia meant business in the other races.

Gebremariam led a close men's 12km race in 35:02, pipping Moses Ndiema Kipsiro of Uganda and third-placed Eritrean 2007 winner Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea by two seconds.

Gebremariam got the seventh Ethiopian men's race success in the last eight editions, with Kenenisa Bekele winning the other six.

The three-time Olympic champion Bekele was not present on Saturday and neither was compatriot two-time Olympic champion and three-time cross-country world champion Tirunesh Dibaba on the women's side.

But Dibaba's younger sister Genzebe Dibaba won the women's junior race. The men's junior title also went to Ethiopia from Ayele Abshero.

Kenya took three team titles, though, in both senior races and the men's junior event. The women's junior team title went to Ethiopia. (dpa)