Mexico left no doubt about their pedigree as a world power in distance running over the Belmont golf course on Saturday morning as both their men's and women's teams struck gold in the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Cross Country Championships.

In a men's race which brought together 37 runners from eight countries, the Mexicans placed three in the first four, and it was a similar story in a less competitive women's race with Mexico placing three in the first six in a field of just 16.

Santos Ortega Rosario took the men's individual gold, tucking in beside his team-mates during the early running before breaking away over the final stages to finish the undulating 11.3 kilometre course in 34 minutes and 37 seconds.

Jamaican Jurman Mitchell managed to prevent a Mexican clean sweep as he too finished strongly to place second in 35:06 ahead of Francisco Rodriguez Dia (35:13) and Carlos Bautista Abad (35:19).

Mexico's team victory earned them automatic qualification for this year's world cross country championships in Durham, England, and a similar reward awaits Puerto Rico who managed to pip Jamaica for the team silver by placing their four scoring runners in the top ten.

The rugged Mexicans made their intentions clear from the gun, setting a hot pace which only Jamaican Mitchell, his team-mate Basil Brown and two of the Puerto Ricans were able to match.

By half-way Rosario, Dia and Abad had broken clear with only Mitchell and Puerto Ricans Gabriel Leboy and Luis Collazo threatening to challenge.

And at the end Rosario was on his own, lifting his arms as he sprinted up the final hill towards the finish line below Belmont's ninth green.

Speaking through an interpreter, Rosario said afterwards his team-mates had contributed significantly to his individual success.

"From the beginning I was in the lead group and we were all helping each other,'' he said. "Later, as I saw opportunities to distance myself from the rest, I did. Little by little I widened the gap.

"The course was very interesting, but not as tough as we get in Mexico, not as many obstacles. Running on a golf course was much easier.'' Among the women, who ran a 5K course, it was the tall Maria Luz Aguilar-Jimen who set a torrid early pace. But at the finish she had to settle for silver as her compatriot Silvia Lopez-Rios proved stronger in a dramatic sprint for the line.

The two Mexicans were neck and neck with just 100 yards remaining but it was Lopez-Rios who hit the tape first although both were given the same time -- 18:43.

Jamaicans Evette Turner, Janice Turner and Michelle Clarke filled the next three positions but Silvia Enrique Rodarte's sixth place finish ensured Mexico won the team gold.

President of the Pan American Athletic Commission and the International Amateur Athletic Federation's (IAAF) representative for the CAC area, Amadeo Francis said afterwards he had been impressed by the organisation and the efficiency with which the event had been run.

"I think it was a first class event,'' he said. "What really impressed me was the number of older people who got involved in the organisation and the course marshalling. It's wonderful to see so many people helping out and offering encouragement.'' SPRINT FINISH -- Mexicans Silvia Lopez-Rios (110) and Maria Luz Aguilar-Jimen sprint for the finish line at the end of the women's 5K race. Lopez-Rios pipped her compatriot at the tape to take the gold.