THE South of Thames cross-country event at the weekend was an oldfashioned event and its £2 entry fee per runner reflects that. Upcoming South of England cross-country championships are £7 or £8 per runner, which may be cheap compared to road race fees but clubs pay the fee and means it can cost many clubs hundreds or even thousands.
ZAKRZEWSKI WINS BRONZE
SPAIN
IAU World 100km, Los Alcázeres, November 27
BRITAIN’S Joasia Zakrzewski took bronze in the women’s race in the 29th edition of this event.
The course consisted of 10 10km laps, of which two thirds were on asphalt and one third on small tiles along the sea front.
On this occasion, Great Britain were represented by just Zakrzewski, who met the selection criteria by having run a sub-7:56 100m when she finished fifth in the 2015 World Championships.
The 7am start meant that the first lap was run in the dark, although the street lights of Los Alcázares ensured the safety of the athletes. The runners faced a few challenges, including rain showers, which led to slippery conditions on the tile section, and perhaps a few too many corners to ensure fast times.
Japan’s Hideaki Yamauchi was a clear men’s winner with a top-class 6:18:22, which equates to 10 back to back sub-38 10kms.
Zakrzewski found herself in the unusual position of leading the race for the first 15km, but then on reflection slowed slightly to ensure she would fulfill her potential.
Finishing 50th overall, it was eventually Australian Kirstin Bull who went on to win the women’s race with a time of 7:34:25, as Croatian Nikolina Sustic took silver with 7:36:10.
The Briton’s final result of 7:41:47, gained via excellent pace judgment, showed that she is one of the most consistent ultra athletes in the world.
The Scot’s third place by a margin of four minutes added to her growing medal collection.
Zakrzweski said: “I have to say that I found the course tough with the tiles and tight corners – made worse by the standing water after the rain, but a medal earned by digging deep is so much more precious.
“I’m just glad that I was able to prove that the selectors had appropriately placed their faith in me and that I could continue trying to do GB proud as this was my sixth time donning the vest in a World Champs and I’ve always managed to come home with a medal or two.”
Men: 100km: 1 H Yamauchi (JPN) 6:18:22; B Mthembu (RSA) 6:24:06; 3 P Reagan (USA) 6:35:42; 4 T Walerowicz (POL) 6:37:23; 5 G Burns (USA) 6:38:34; 6 J Requejo (ESP) 6:41:08. Women: 100km: 1 K Bull (AUS) 7 34:25; 2 N Sustic (CRO) 7:36:09; 3 JOASIA ZAKRZEWSKI (W40) 7:41:48; 4 K Freitag (AUT) 7:45:58; 5 M Ota (JPN) 7:47:38; 6 A Kanematsu (JPN) 7:47:41; 7 C Mochizuki (JPN) 7:47:55; 8 M Fujisawa (JPN) 7:48:27
Joasia Zakrzewski (right): shares the medal rostrum with Nikolina Sustic and winner Kirstin Bull (centre)
EUROPEAN under-23 cross country champion Louise Carton was an easy women’s winner.
ROSS PROUDFOOT defended his 10km title in 29:53 just ahead of Lucas Bruchet and Trevor Hofbauer. Olympic steeplechase finalist Matt Hughes finished fourth just 10 seconds down on the winner.
Sarah Gollish won the senior women’s 10km in 33:54, 10 seconds ahead of Rachel Cliff.