From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Wed Nov 25 2009 - 13:15:47 EST
http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/content/camden/hamhigh/sport/story.aspx?brand=NorthLondon24&category=SportAthletics&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=sport&itemid=WeED25%20Nov%202009%2015%3A56%3A12%3A697
Mehretab's
the pride of London editorial@hamhigh.co.uk
25 November 2009 TEENAGE athlete Mehretab Solomon became Heathside's
first London men's champion in more than 30 years on Saturday - despite only
entering the race as a junior.
Eritrea-born Solomon was officially running in the Under-20 catagory at the
London cross country championships at Parliament Hill, which was run in
tandem with the senior men's race.
However, he stormed into the lead ahead of the 262 other runners, and stayed
there all the way to the end to win in a time of 32 minutes and 23 seconds,
becoming the first Heathsider to win the title since current chairman Jerry
Odlin way back in 1977.
Meanwhile, Highgate Harriers won the men's and women's team awards, while
Becky Penty was second in the women's race and David Bruce was third runner
overall.
In the women's race there was a cat and mouse battle between the experienced
Julia Bleasdale and Highgate's Penty, and the result was not concluded until
within a mile from the finish line, when Bleasdale surged ahead to win in
21:24 ahead of Penty in 21:33.
Svenja Abel, who has had to battle recurring injuries all season, ran
brilliantly to come in fourth in 22:19, and Kate Meredith was the fourth
scoring team member, finishing 31st in 23:45.
Other Highgate runners in the race were first London veteran Astrid Wingler
in 39th (24:00), Sarah Bailey (49th in 24:22), Alexia Trafford (65th in
24:55), Jenny Turner (26:12), Natasha Cendrowicz (26:41), Sonja Saqui
(27:46) and Sarah Chapman (30:10).
In the Under-17 race Aimee Jane-Potter was 65th in 24:24 and in the Under-15
race Isabel Barnes was 66th in 18:14 and Francesca Simpson 73rd in 18:41.
The final standings saw Highgate Harriers finish on 49 points, Serpentine 57
and Met Police 61.
Other Highgate runners to finish well inside the first 115 were: Henry
Dodwell (10th in 34:13), Dale Bickham (17th in 35:05), Glenn Saqui (19th in
35:25); Peter Downie (24th in 36:13), Nick Gold (32nd in 36:51), Chris
Beecham (35th in 37:00), Jonathan Deane (42nd in 37:10), Steve Thompson
(53rd in 37:56), Chris Bailey (59th in 38:11) and Max Coventry (67th in
38:45).
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----