Hagos defends 10k title

0 - 0 • Published 28 May 2009 11:00

AMANUEL Hagos mounted a successful defence of his Helensburgh 10K title with a runaway victory in the opening race in the Polaroid Eyewear Grand Prix Series.

Unchallenged from gun to tape, the Eritrean, competing in the colours of Shettleston Harriers, crossed the line in 30 minutes and 32 seconds, almost a minute down on his winning time from last year.

Nonetheless, Hagos pulled those behind him to some excellent times. Runner-up Ross Houston from Central AC sliced almost half a minute from his personal best (PB) for the distance with his time of 30.48.

Another Shettleston Harrier, Paul Sorrie, improved from fifth last year in 32.27 to take third place in a season"s best time of 31.45.

Fourth-placed Michael Deason hails from New Mexico, but is studying at Glasgow University and competing for the Uni Hares and Hounds. His time of 32.01 was a 46 second improvement on his PB. Lothian Running Club"s Ross Milne placed fifth in 32.33, just four weeks after running sub-two hours 30 miunutes when setting a new marathon PB in London.

Last year"s leading veteran over 40, Stuart Campbell, of Arbroath & District AC, repeated his success in sixth place in 33.34 before another Eritrean, Girmay Tsegai (33:43) secured the team prize for Shettleston Harriers.

Another two Veterans over 40 took the next two places, Billy Coyle, Shettleston Harriers, and Keith Haining, Kilmarnock Harriers, clocking 33.51 and 34.11 respectively.

The top 10 was completed by 15-year-old Luke Traynor from Giffnock North AC. Racing at the 10K distance for the very first time he clocked 34.18 to claim first prize in the junior men category.

Cove fireman James Taggart was 11th in 34.33 while Helensburgh postman Martyn Ross was 18th in 35.27.

Top Veteran over 50 honours went to Gerry Montgomery, Clydesdale Harriers, 24th overall in 36.16 while the top veteran over 60 was Dumbarton AC"s Frank Yeoman with a time of 39.19.

Toni McIntosh is scheduled to make her marathon debut in Edinburgh this weekend and the Ayr Seaforth athlete rounded off her preparations in fine style, finishing 17th overall to win the women"s race in a time in 35.27.

Central AC"s Alison Docherty was runner-up, almost a minute behind in 36.23 and with just six seconds to spare over third-placed Elke Schmidt from Bellahouston Road Runners.

Garscube Harrier Kirsty Husband claimed the top veteran over-35 honours in fourth place (37.28) and was followed home by Leanne Hamilton (Kilbarchan AC) in 37.37 and Donna Finlayson (Victoria Park City of Glasgow AC) in 37.49. Helensburgh AC"s own Julia Henderson was seventh and second veteran over 35 in 38.46.

Erica Christie repeated her success of last year in the over-50 category in a time of 40.35 with Helensburgh"s Jan Fellowes runner-up in 44.53. Joan Murray from Helensburgh went one better than last year, winning the over-60 category in 52.54.

Bellahouston Road Runners and Garscube Harriers tied on 31 points each for the women"s team prize and had to be separated by head-to-head scoring. Bellahouston claimed the honours with Elke Schmidt in third place joined by Rebecca Johnson in 10th and Shona Moran in 18th.

Garscube Harriers had Kirsty Husband 4th, Alison Winship 8th and Alison Campbell 19th.

The top Junior Women were Kirstina Greig from Glasgow, 48.50 and Lomond School"s Nicola Skrastin, 52.16.

FOR FULL RESULTS, SEE THIS WEEK'S ADVERTISER

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This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 28 May 09

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