A photo finish saw Jarius Birech win the men's race at the IAAF Cross Country Permit event in San Vittore ©Getty Images

Kenya's Jarius Birech won the men's race at the International Association of Athletics Federations Cross Country Permit meeting in San Vittore in Italy.

In an incredibly tight race amid snowy conditions, the result had to be decided by a photo finish as after 11 kilometres of racing the steeplechase specialists Birech and Uganda's Albert Chemutai finished with the same time of 33min 5sec.

Bronze was taken by another steeplechaser, Ethiopa's Getnet Wale, who crossed the line only three seconds behind in 33.08.

At the 87th edition of the event in Italy, 26-year-old Birech, who won Commonwealth silver in the 3,000m steeplechase five years ago, won by just one tenth of a second.

Asian Games champion Winfred Mutile Yavi won the women's race by eight seconds ©Getty Images
Asian Games champion Winfred Mutile Yavi won the women's race by eight seconds ©Getty Images

The women's race, in contrast, was not as close, and was won by Bahrain's Kenyan-born athlete Winfred Mutile Yavi, another steeplechase specialist.

The 2018 Asian Games champion in the 3,000m steeplechase triumphed in 17.50, eight seconds in front of Ethiopia's Feysa Adanech Anbesa.

Gloria Kite from Kenya finished third in exactly 18 minutes.

Next weekend (February 3) will feature the last race of this season's Permit circuit, as the Almond Blossom Cross Country race goes ahead in Albufeira in Portugal.