• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Cross Country

Five Things we learned at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country, by Cathal Dennehy for RunBlogRun

Larry EderbyLarry Eder
January 16, 2015
0
0 0
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

GWR2014-409.jpg

Great Edinburgh Cross Country, 2014, photo by Dan Vernon Photography


Cathal Dennehy visited the Great Edinburgh Cross Country Festival last weekend, January 9-10, and wrote several pieces for RunBlogRun on the event and the super stars at this important cross country fixture. 

RelatedPosts

2022 RunBlogRun Summer Cross Country Mileage Program, Week Six, Day One

2022 RunBlogRun Summer Cross Country Mileage Program, Week Five, Day Seven

2022 RunBlogRun Summer Cross Country Mileage Program, Week Five, Day Six

Five things we learned at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country

By Cathal Dennehy

Holyrood Park: a cross country course from Heaven and Hell


GWR2014-688.jpg

Chris Derrick photo by Dan Vernon Photography

Most athletes either love or hate this kind of course, but for many, this was cross country at its most brutal, get-it-in-your-gut, best. The course in Holyrood Park is renowned as the most challenging on the international circuit, but on Saturday it was made even more gruelling, courtesy of an icy wind and occasional sleet storm which must have made the athletes, as notoriously tough as they are, question their very existence. 

There was the occasional piece of decent running ground, but lots of squelchy, muddy patches, mini-streams to cross, steep hills to climb, and more. It was the antithesis of the manicured surfaces most collegiate athletes in America are used to, and indeed of many championship cross country courses in recent years. Of course, those have their place too, but courses like this should never be absent from the cross country scene. They are the great equaliser among elite athletes, and embody the very spirit of what cross country is supposed to be: chaotic, challenging, and occasionally brutal. 

Dathan Ritzenhein is on the road to recovery 

Ritzenhein_DathanLeds1-CampaccioXC14.jpg

Dathan Ritzenhein, photo by PhotoRun.net

In his second race in four days – his first being a win at the Campaccio cross country earlier in the week – Dathan Ritzenhein announced he is well on his way back to the top tier with a third-place finish in Edinburgh. The 4K distance, he said, felt like an all-out sprint for him, which isn’t surprising. Ritzenhein, of course, is a 12:56 5K runner, but has turned his attention to the marathon in recent years, where he holds a personal best of 2:07:47. 

The 32-year-old endured an injury-riddled 2014, racing just once in August, but has since rebuilt his body and with eight weeks of healthy training behind him, is now building up for the Boston Marathon in April. Ritzenhein, who is now self-coached, has been running 80 miles a week and is adamant that he’ll take a conservative approach to training over the next few months to ensure he makes the start line in Boston healthy. There was no disguising his pleasure at being back competing with the world’s best athletes on Saturday. His first reaction after finishing third? “It was fun.”

Garrett Heath: he’s better than you think

GWR2014-601.jpg

Garrett Heath from 2014 race, photo by Dan Vernon Photography 

It’s funny, but if you polled most knowledgeable observers before the 4K race on Saturday on who they thought would win, virtually no one would have gone for the man who defeated all the East Africans this time last year: Garrett Heath. The man himself, even, probably thought defending his title was out of the question, given how he much he struggled with injury on the lead-up to the race. Heath even ran the race with his left calf half-covered in blue kinesio-tape. 

However, when the gun fired, the Minnesota native ran a patient race, sheltering behind the leaders for the first lap until, midway through the second lap, he unleashed a devastating surge which tore the field to shreds in a matter of moments. World Cross Country champion Japhet Korir couldn’t handle the surge, neither could 12:56 5K man Dathan Ritzenhein, or 3:27 1500m athlete Asbel Kiprop, or indeed a host of other world class athletes further back such as Augustine Choge, Bernard Lagat and Silas Kiplagat. Heath, himself a 3:34 man, looks set for a big season if he can transfer this form to the track. And one thing’s for sure: no one will be forgetting about the 29-year-old American when making their predictions in Edinburgh this time next year.

Emilia Gorecka has arrived

GWR2014-791.jpg

Gemma Steel and Emilia Gorecka, 2014 race, 

photo by Dan Vernon Photography 

The British 20-year-old was an impressive winner of the senior women’s 6K race in Edinburgh, defeating much-decorated athletes several years her senior such as two-time European cross country champion Fionnuala Britton and newly crowned champion Gemma Steel. In truly apocalyptic weather conditions on the last of three laps, Gorecka dug in and forged a lead on the resolute Britton, one which grew to seven seconds by the finish. 

Gorecka has been one of the most promising athletes in British distance running for a number of years, and was twice a European cross country champion at junior level, but finished a disappointing 12th in the under-23 race last month in Samokov. However, with this run under her belt, she consigned that run to the distant past. It could be a big year for the Royal Holloway University student. 

For Asbel Kiprop, it’s all about gold medals

GWR2014-567.jpg

Asbel Kiprop, photo by Dan Vernon Photography

Though he finished a slightly disappointing fourth on Saturday, world 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop sounded in confident form about the year ahead when speaking to RunBlogRun afterwards. Kiprop said he will now skip the indoor season and focus on retaining his 1500m crown at the World Championships in Beijing in August. 

He said training has been progressing well and he is hopeful for a big summer season. Asked if he will, at any point this year, make an assault on Hicham El Guerrouj’s 1500m world record of 3:26.00, Kiprop said: “No; for me this year it is all about one thing: winning the gold medal in Beijing.”

Author

  • Larry Eder

    Larry Eder has had a 50-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."

    View all posts

Previous Post

Tiffany Porter Talks Hurdles: the RunBlogRun Interview, by Larry Eder

Next Post

adidas Unveils the 2015 Official Boston Marathon apparel collection

Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 50-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."

Similar Post

0regon 22 World Athletes Champs Redux: 200 meter final: Noah Lyles leads American sweep with an American record
2022 World Championships Oregon

0regon 22 World Athletes Champs Redux: 200 meter final: Noah Lyles leads American sweep with an American record

August 9, 2022
SATV+RBR Athlete of Month: World Champs Bronze medalist, Emily Infeld (from the Archives, November 2015)
News

SATV+RBR Athlete of Month: World Champs Bronze medalist, Emily Infeld (from the Archives, November 2015)

August 9, 2022
Oregon 22 World Athletics Championships, Day Ten: Tobi Amusan etches her name into sporting immortality, wins Nigeria’s first Gold in the history of the world championships
African Athletics

Birmingham 2022 Diary: Tobi Amusan continues to break barriers and adds another Commonwealth title to her glowing collection

August 9, 2022
Birmingham 2022 Diary, Jackline Chepkoech wins gold in the women’s 3000m Steeplechase final in Birmingham
Commonwealth Games

Birmingham 2022 Diary, Jackline Chepkoech wins gold in the women’s 3000m Steeplechase final in Birmingham

August 9, 2022
2022 RunBlogRun Summer Cross Country Mileage Program, Week Six, Day One
Cross Country

2022 RunBlogRun Summer Cross Country Mileage Program, Week Six, Day One

August 8, 2022
Birmingham 2022 Diary: Laura Muir wins the CG 1,500 meters!!!!
Commonwealth Games

Birmingham 2022 Diary: Laura Muir wins the CG 1,500 meters!!!!

August 8, 2022

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

Recent Stories

Track & Field

Zuzana Hejnova to compete in Doha DL over 400m hurdles, from EME News (source:IAAF)

by Alfonz Juck
April 4, 2022
0

Zuzana Hejnova, photo by PhotoRun.net Hejnova opens in DohaDOHA (QAT): World 200m champion Dafne Schippers will go head-to-head with world...

Zuzana Hejnova runs 38.16 All time best for 300m hurdles, by Alfons Juck, note by Larry Eder

April 4, 2022

Zurich’s Grand Venue: Letzigrund Stadium Inspires Exceptional Performances

April 4, 2022

Zurich Weltklasse, the Olympics in One Night, by Bob Ramsak, Notes by Larry Eder

June 23, 2022

Recent Tweets

RunBlogRun Follow

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. RunBlogRun is the voice of the sport.

RunBlogRun
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
2h

Nicely done @d9monti !

David Monti @d9monti

Was just at the bank & only 2 tellers were working. The man behind me was double-parked and getting really agitated about waiting. When it was my turn I let the man go ahead of me. His mood ...changed on a dime; he kept thanking me

Moments later the teller waived my transaction fee

Reply on Twitter 1557012791520890889 Retweet on Twitter 1557012791520890889 Like on Twitter 1557012791520890889 2 Twitter 1557012791520890889
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
7h

Good night track fans. Time to go to bed in North America. Remember, #coffeewithLarry is happening at 8.30 am PDT!
I love this photo; it is Pawel Fajdek, five-time WC in the hammer throw, and a zen ...master! This is his FB photo!
#WCHOregon22, #europeanchampionships, #pawelfajdek

Reply on Twitter 1556942431093854208 Retweet on Twitter 1556942431093854208 Like on Twitter 1556942431093854208 Twitter 1556942431093854208
Retweet on Twitter RunBlogRun Retweeted
ferdiomanyala Ferdinand Omurwa OMANYALA @ferdiomanyala ·
8 Aug

KENYA MY MOTHERLAND!!
As we go to exercise our democratic rights tomorrow as Kenyans lets do it in peace and remember that elections come and go.
Remember Your vote is precious. It is the most ...powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and you have to use it.

Reply on Twitter 1556645038867812354 Retweet on Twitter 1556645038867812354 334 Like on Twitter 1556645038867812354 3882 Twitter 1556645038867812354
Retweet on Twitter RunBlogRun Retweeted
urimiscott Michael Scott @urimiscott ·
23h

.@BadgerTrackXC alum @ollie_hoare97 finished 10th @WCHoregon22 1500 semi in 3:38.36, but struck gold 🥇 in @birminghamcg22 Commonwealth Games 1500 for @AthsAust coming from way back w/150 to go to ...win it at the line!

#wchoregon22 #birmingham2022 #Australia #Badger #Wisconsin

Reply on Twitter 1556698219706458113 Retweet on Twitter 1556698219706458113 1 Like on Twitter 1556698219706458113 25 Twitter 1556698219706458113
Retweet on Twitter RunBlogRun Retweeted
travismillerx13 Travis Miller @travismillerx13 ·
8 Aug

🇺🇸Vernon Norwood 44.96 FTW in the Gyulai István Memorial men's 400m

Reply on Twitter 1556680070097502211 Retweet on Twitter 1556680070097502211 19 Like on Twitter 1556680070097502211 165 Twitter 1556680070097502211
Load More...
Next Post

adidas Unveils the 2015 Official Boston Marathon apparel collection

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

Select a password for yourself. (minimum length of 8)

Paste here the user biography.

Provide here the twitter screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the instagram screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the facebook profile URL. i.e. http://www.facebook.com/RunBlogRun

Provide here the linkedin profile URL. i.e. https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-eder-5497253

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist