Local runners were able to take full advantage of the absence of Bahraini runners, who have proved the dominant force in recent editions.

Two years ago, Bahrain claimed all eight gold medals available, with their senior titles having both been won by Kenyan-born athletes.

Eunice Chumba triumphed in the women’s senior event at Manama in Bahrain, while Albert Rop claimed the men’s title.

With no athletes from Bahrain on the start line, Chinese athletes were able to clinch senior titles at the biennial event.

Jianhua Peng triumphed in the men’s 12 kilometre race, with the home favourite crossing the line in a winning time of 38min 22sec.

Japan’s Nishiyama Kazuya and Imanishi Siiunsuke completed the podium places, after they ended four and six seconds behind the winner respectively.

Their efforts helped Japan to claim the men’s team title.

Li Dan secured the women’s senior gold, as the Chinese runner managed a time of 28:03 in the 8km event.

Japan’s Abe Yukari ended three seconds adrift to take silver, while Jadhav Sankivani finished in 28:19 to win bronze.

The Japanese squad earned the team title.

Wada Yuna led a clean sweep for Japan in the women’s junior event, as she managed a time of 20:43.

She was followed by Hironaka Ririka and Takamatsu Tomomi Musembi, which helped Japan win the team event.

China’s Suolang Cairen triumphed in the men’s junior event in 25:35, with Nakaya Yuhi and Tazawa Ren completing the podium to help Japan clinch their fourth team gold.