# 1985 African Cross Country Championships

The 1985 African Cross Country Championships was the first trial edition of the international cross country running competition for African athletes organised by the Confederation of African Athletics. It was held on 16 February in Nairobi, Kenya and would be the only African cross-country championship until its re-launch in 2011.
There were three races on the program: 12 km for senior men, 4 km for senior women, and 8 km for under-20 men. 72 athletes from eight countries participated, consisting of Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Tanzania, Somalia, Egypt, and Djibouti.
Kenya swept all team and individual gold medals. The competition was said to have attracted mostly Kenyans and other neighbors.

## Medallists

| Event | Gold | Gold | Silver | Silver | Bronze | Bronze |
| Senior men's 12 km | Paul Kipkoech (KEN) | | Andrew Masai (KEN) | | Joshua Kipkemboi (KEN) | |
| Senior men's team | Kenya | 21 pts | Uganda | 83 pts | Tanzania | 141 pts |
| Senior women's 4 km | Hellen Kimaiyo (KEN) | | Marcelina Cheboi (KEN) | | Florence Mwangechi (KEN) | |
| Senior women's team | Kenya | 10 pts | Tanzania | 40 pts | Uganda | 44 pts |
| U20 men's 8 km | Peter Rono (KEN) | | Jeremiah Chelego (KEN) | | Samuel Okemwa (KEN) | |
| U20 men's team | Kenya | 10 pts | Djibouti | 32 pts | Uganda | 46 pts |

## Results
### Senior races

Senior men's race :
| Place | Athlete | Country |
| | Paul Kipkoech | Kenya |
| | Andrew Masai | Kenya |
| | Joshua Kipkemboi | Kenya |
| 4th | Jackson Ruto | Kenya |
| 5th | James Kipngetich | Kenya |
| 6th | Alfred Nyasani | Kenya |
| 7th | Unknown | Unknown |
| 8th | Unknown | Unknown |
| 9th | Unknown | Unknown |
| 10th | Elly Mirembe | Uganda |
| 11th | Unknown | Unknown |
| 12th | Wilson Achia | Uganda |
| 13th | Pius Lonika | Uganda |
| 14th | Juma Mnyampanda | Tanzania |
| 15th | Vincent Rugua | Uganda |
| 16th | Hillmark Lobunei | Uganda |
| 17th | Benjamin Longris | Uganda |
| 18th | Jackson Hallot | Tanzania |
| 19th | Unknown | Unknown |
| 20th | Japhet Mashishanga | Tanzania |
| 21st | Unknown | Unknown |
| 22nd | Unknown | Unknown |
| 23rd | Francis John | Tanzania |
| 24th | Unknown | Unknown |
| 25th | Unknown | Unknown |
| 26th | Unknown | Unknown |
| 27th | Unknown | Unknown |
| 28th | Unknown | Unknown |
| 29th | Unknown | Unknown |
| 30th | Jacob Lubinza | Tanzania |
| 31st | Unknown | Unknown |
| 32nd | Unknown | Unknown |
| 33rd | Unknown | Unknown |
| 34th | Ida Bunda | Tanzania |
Senior women's race :
| Place | Athlete | Country |
| | Hellen Kimaiyo | Kenya |
| | Marcelina Cheboi | Kenya |
| | Florence Mwangechi | Kenya |
| 4th | Jepkemoi Barmasai | Kenya |
| 5th | Unknown | Unknown |
| 6th | Unknown | Unknown |
| 7th | Lilian Nyiti | Tanzania |
| 8th | Marcelina Emmanuel | Tanzania |
| 9th | Beatrice Namatovu | Uganda |
| 10th | Grace Kabhweza | Uganda |
| 11th | Consolata Makune | Uganda |
| 12th | Graciana Bungu | Tanzania |
| 13th | Rajawu Mwajuma | Tanzania |
| 14th | Mary Lalam | Uganda |

### U20 race

U20 men's race :
| Place | Athlete | Country |
| | Peter Rono | Kenya |
| | Jeremiah Chelego | Kenya |
| | Samuel Okemwa | Kenya |
| 4th | Ngotho Musyoki | Kenya |
| 5th | Talal Omar Abdillahi | Djibouti |
| 6th | Yaye Aden | Djibouti |
| 7th | Patrick Baguma | Uganda |
| 8th | Unknown | Unknown |
| 9th | Unknown | Unknown |
| 10th | Robleh Hussein | Djibouti |
| 11th | Iltireh Djama | Djibouti |
| 12th | Vincent Lyoda | Uganda |
| 13th | Patrick Shaka | Uganda |
| 14th | Gabriel Omuna | Uganda |