Surprise package Augusto breaks mould

Sep 21 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

SUCH has been the level of African dominance over world long-distance running in the last two decades it is always refreshing to see a European winner at the Great North Run.

Without the mighty Paula Radcliffe, British athletics is unable to offer up a challenger capable of beating the awesome Africans, but we can at least take some comfort from the fact our fellow Europeans can do more than merely hold their own.

Portugal’s Jessica Augusto was this year’s surprise package, breaking clear of the leading pack after just three miles with the Australian Nikki Chapple before building up a lead of just under a minute – which she held until the finishing line.

The 27-year-old was not thought to be one of the main contenders, with Ethiopia’s Berhane Adere and Worknesh Kidane, along with Kenya’s Salina Kosgei expected to lead from the front.

However, she was untouchable on the day – and even had the luxury of being able to ease down along the final straight down the coast road.

Augusto – who was followed home by Adere in second and another promising Portuguese Ana Dulce Felix in third – will surely improve.

She is aiming to follow in the footsteps of Radcliffe by winning the European Cross Country Championships later this year, although she denied she had any plan to move up to full marathons at this stage in her career.

Augusto said: “I was surprised with how easy it was because I have only done three weeks of training since the World Championships in Berlin.

“I reached the final there, but this was a big victory for me. I ran in Sheffield a few weeks ago and did badly, but I always wanted to be in my best shape for the Great North Run.

“I expected the other girls to come with me when I went clear, but from four miles I was out on my own and nobody came back at me.

“It is a big achievement and I am delighted.

“I don’t want to do a full marathon, that is not the plan. I finished second in the European Cross Country Championship last year and I want it to be first. This is a step towards that. European long-distance running is in pretty good shape, and hopefully we can show that on the track next year as well.”

The ease with which Augusto won the women’s race in 1:09:08 was in stark contrast to a thrilling finish in the men’s race, where three athletes made the left turn on to the seafront in a group.

It was a fascinating tussle won by former Great North Run Champion and London Marathon winner Martin Lel.

It was a stunning return to form for the Kenyan, who finished in 59:32, just two seconds outside of his personal best and only 27 outside the the course record set by Zersenay Tadesse’s four years ago. Lel was pushed all the way by compatriot Kiplimo Kimutai and the duo were able to work together to break Moroccan Jaouad Gharib’s spirit over the final mile, the 37-year-old veteran suffering badly with cramp in the closing stages as he fell off the pace.

Given that the 2003 marathon world champion was in agony for most of the final three miles it was some achievement for him to finish the race at all. Lel, though, was magnificent, setting the second fastest time in the history of the event at the end of a track season in which he has struggled for fitness and form.

The 30-year-old will look to build on this excellent display with victory – and possibly a world record attempt – in the New York marathon next month.

He said: “I was particularly pleased with this run because it has been a hard few months for me and I had not raced since running in Lisbon back in March.

“It has been very frustrating, but this makes me happy.

“I wanted to do well in the Great North run because it is such a special event, I love coming here and I had to miss the London marathon earlier in the year because of my injury problems.”

As for domestic interest, Dan Robinson was 10th in a time of 1:04:14, Lee Merrien 11th in 1:04:27 and Morpeth Harrier Ian Hudspith was 13th in a time of 1:04:49. Sunderland’s Mark Hood was 23rd.

In the women’s race, Chester-le-Street’s Angela Hibbs came in 13th in a time of 1:18:27, beating Katrina Wooten (13th) and Jenny Blizard 17th. Gateshead’s Jessica Trowbridge was 19th.

There were also two new course records set in the wheelchair races, as Britain’s David Weir finished in 41:34 and America’s Amanda McCrory in 49:47.

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