World class runners coast to 10k victory

May 14 2008 Ayrshire Post

A TRIO of African runners stormed to success in the Troon 10k — after leaving the huge field trailing in their wake.

The international athletes, from Eritrea, carved up the course and romped to a 1-2-3 in lightning quick time.

And stunned runners, who’d travelled from around Scotland for the race, were left limping home in the aftermath.

The African contingent are making huge waves after arriving on Scottish soil to claim political asylum.

Havfing a flat in Glasgow, they’ll now be eligible to run for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

And they wasted no time in showing Troon a clean pair of heels as winner Amanuel Woldeselasie shaved a full two minutes off last year’s top time.

He became the first foreign winner of the race, which is regarded as Scotland’s biggest midweek 10k.

Troon Tortoises running club, who organise the event, admit it was a no-contest the minute the Africans turned up.

Committee member, Alex Drain, insisted: “At the end of the day, the race is open to all and we can’t stop people from entering just because they’re too good.

“I think a few people were upset when these guys arrived because they realised it wouldn’t be much of a race, but there’s not much we can do about that.

“And you have to say — how often will our runners get the chance to compete against guys who are some of the best in the world?”

Woldeselasie, who runs for Shettleston Harriers, stormed home in a time of 29 mins 46 secs.

He was followed home by Eritrean clubmates Tzegazeah Woldemichael and Teweldebr Mengstab.

Shettleston secretary, Bill Scally, explained: “We have eight of the Eritreans who came to us with their social worker looking fo a running club.

“They all live in a flat together and we’re their nearest athletics club, so we’re happy to have them.

“Amanuel is the best of the bunch at 10k and potentially world class. He’s run in the World Cross Country championships and after five years will be eligible to compete for Scotland.

“We have a lack of ability in our country when it comes to that level, so why not?”

First Ayrshire runner was Girvan’s runner Kerry Wilson — who came home seventh — four minutes behind Woldeselasie.

Ayr Seaforth’s Toni McIntosh was first lady in a time of 37.22 and Girvan’s Louise Stirling was first female junior.

RESULTS: Men’s race; 1. A. Woldeselasie (Shettleston Harriers) 29.46; 2. T. Woldemichael ( Shettleston Harriers) 30.26; 3. T. Mengstab (Shettleston Harriers) 30.41.

Ladies’ race; 1. T. McIntosh (Seaforth) 37.22; 2. C. Thompson (Bellahouston) 38.34; 3. C. Wilson (Unattached) 39.12.

Men’s 40+; 1. M. McQuaid (Falkirk Victoria) 34.02; 2. K. Haining (Johnnie Walker Kilmarnock) 34.18; 3. D. Williams (Shettleston Harriers) 35.20.

Ladies’ 35+; 1. M. Hetherington (Helensburgh) 38.16; 2. A. Thomson (Unattached) 38.41; 3. A. Winship (Garscube Harriers) 40.51.

Men’s 50+; 1. P. Thompson (Helensburgh) 35.50; 2. I. Berryman (Irvine) 35.56; 3. A. Rennie (Irvine) 38.59).

Ladies 45+; 1. S. Branney (Victoria Park) 37.27; 2. S. Finch (Victoria Park City of Glasgow) 37.46; 3. D. Galbraith (Giffnock) 43.56.

Men’s 60: 1. J. Rowley (Law & District) 41.31; 2. M. Palmer (East Cornwall Harriers) 45.45; 3. Ian MacDonald (Unattached) 46.39.

Ladies 55+; 1. W. Scott (Giffnock) 49.04; 2. E. Corbett (Bellahouston) 49.37; 3.