BUPA Great Edinburgh XC: Kenenisa takes fifth, Kiprop third, Heath wins, Derrick wins, from Alberto Stretti

Chris Derrick, USA XC 2013,

photo by PhotoRun.net

It is seven in the morning on Sunday, and I am still thinking about the BUPA Great Edinburgh Cross Country Challenge. First, Garrett Heath surprised many with his win over Asbel Kiprop at the 4k distance, and secondly, Chris Derrick continues to show his promise with a fine, controlled win over the senior men’s distance.

Alberto Stretti, one of Italy’s fine running journalists, provided the piece below. It was my first time meeting Alberto and he provided yeoman services by translating Yem Crippo’s side of his collision with the French athlete in the junior men’s 6k…

KIPROP 3RD, BEKELE FIFTH, GBR TEAM WIN
EDINBURGH (GBR, Jan 11): Even if cold, a perfect dry and sunny day for Bupa Great Edinburgh XCountry (IAAF Permit) in the 25th edition. The Great Britain and Northern Ireland team were victorious in the team challenge with 159 points, 13 ahead of Team Europe while the USA were third with 203. One of most awaited races were 4 km men with top stars Asbel Kiprop and Kenenisa Bekele. Not too much happened until last 500 m when US Garretth Heath showed an impressive kick and won in 11:51 in sprint over young and promising Ethiopian Meresa Kahsay in 11:52. Kiprop was third 11:58 ahead of another Kenyan James Magut 12:00 and fifth place for Bekele in 12:02. 12:05was the time for Chris Thompson in sixth place to be the first of the Europeans. In the 8 km US Chris Derrick won in 24:21 with Andy Vernon second 24:27 and third Belgian Bashir Abdi running for Europe 24:27. Fourth US Bobby Mack 24:28, only 9th Alemayehu Bezabeh from Spain, the European CC Champion from December (24:48). Last race of the day were women 6 km and Gemma Steel scored a perfect win for the home team in20:35. Second double European Champ Fionnuala Britton of Ireland 20:44 and third Emelia Gorecka 20:51 in her race as senior. Fourth Belgrade winner Sophie Duarte of France 20:57 ahead of Charlotte Purdue 20:59. Boys junior 6 km winner was French Alexis Miellet 19:07 and girls junior 4 km Clay sisters of Great Britain Bobby 13:59 and Alex 14:03. With the help of Alberto Stretti.

Author

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 51-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

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