Muchiri wins Chiba cross country race

Kenya's Karoki Muchiri edged compatriot Julius Gitahi on Sunday to win the men's race at the Chiba international cross country meet.

Muchiri clocked a time of 34 minutes, 40 seconds in the 12-kilometer race to finish 35 seconds ahead of Gitahi. Japan's Makoto Fukui was third with a time of 35:19.

Japan's Yoko Shimizu won the women's 6-kilometer race with a time of 19:38, finishing one second ahead of compatriot Risa Takanaka. Harumi Hiroyama, also of Japan, was third with a time of 20:19.

Sunday's races were qualifiers for the World Cross Country Championships in Amman, Jordan on March 28.