Rhonex Kipruto has won the men's race at the IAAF Cross Country Permit event in Elgoibar in Spain by a comfortable margin ©Getty Images

World under-20 10,000 metres champion Rhonex Kipruto and world 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri won the men's and women's races respectively at the Cross Internacional Juan Muguerza in Elgoibar in Spain.

Whilst Obiri was the favourite in the women’s race, it was thought Kipruto would be pushed hard, if not beaten, by Ethiopia's Selemon Barega in the men's race.

As it happened, however, both Kenyans won by surprisingly large margins at the event which forms part of the International Association of Athletics Federations Cross Country Permit circuit.

Running against world under-20 5,000m record holder Barega for the first time, 19-year-old Kipruto finished the 10.7 kilometre course in 32min, 5sec, while 18-year-old Barega came second finishing 22 seconds behind.

World and Commonwealth 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri won the women's race with a 20 second lead ©Getty Images
World and Commonwealth 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri won the women's race with a 20 second lead ©Getty Images

Stanley Waithaka, who turns 18 in April, made it an all-teenage podium by finishing third in 32:54.

On the women's side Obiri won her race on a 6.6km course in 24.39, on what was her first cross-country appearance of the season.

Uganda's Commonwealth 10,000m champion Stella Chesang finished second, 20 seconds behind, while world steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech came third in 25.16.

Turkey's Yasmin Can, who won last time out on the IAAF Cross Country Permit circuit in Italy, came home in fourth with a time of 25.44.

The circuit will continue next weekend (January 19) with the Northern Ireland International Cross Country meet in Belfast.