by Larry Eder
Stewart McSweyn, 2018 BMX DL, photo by British Athletics
This is the highlights on the last events in 2020. Thanks to EME News!
END OF THE YEAR RACES
BARCELONA (ESP, Dec 31): French Morhad Amdouni set the second fastest time by a European this year by winning the 10km at the Cursa del Nassos in 27:42. Carlos Mayo was second in 28:06. Jimmy Gressier was third in 28:13, having the same evening winning the 5 km in 13:39. Santiago Catrofe was second in that race in 13:40 Uruguay record and another French Yann Schurb third in 13:45 PB. World 5000m champion Hellen Obiri fell in the 10km but nevertheless won in 30:53, her official road PB. Majida Maayouf was second in 33:19 and Marta Galimany third in 33:52. Genzebe Dibaba was 16 seconds outside the world record as she won the 5km in 15:00. Anna Dibaba was second in 16:02.
BOLZANO (ITA, Dec 31): Margaret Kipkemboi took the honours in the women’s 10km race at the Boclassic in a PB of 30:43, only 14 seconds behind only women World record. Second and so close Dorcas Jepchirchir Tuitoek 30:44 PB. Norah Tanui was third in 30:47 (was listed as representing Kazakhstan) and Gloria Kite was fourth in 32:27. Best European was Sofia Yaremchuk of Ukraine as 6th in 33:12. The races were held over a different course to normal with 1km loops and after two laps the lead women were on pace to beat the world women-only record of 30:29. Kipkemboi moved away at the end to defend the title she won last year. World Cross U20 bronze medallist Oscar Chelimo of Uganda won the men’s race (held over 5km) in 13:17. Two seconds behind, Robin Hendrix of Belgium missed Jimmy Gressier’s European second by just a second in 13:19, roughly matching his track PB. Abdelaati Iguider was third in 13:20, a time shared by Yeman Crippa in fourth. All this marks were national records for Belgium, Morocco and Italy. Tadese Worku was fifth in 13:23, one second ahead of world 5000m champion Mukhtar Edris 13:24 followed by Tilahun Haile 13:26.
MADRID (ESP, Dec 31): World Half bronze medallist Yalemzerf Yehualaw beat Ruth Chepngetich to win the San Silvestre Vallecana 10km. She ran a PB 31:17 (unofficial) to come home 33 seconds clear (31:50). Third French Alessia Zarbo 33:00. Daniel Simyiu from Kenya triumphed on the men’s side with a time of 27:41, while Italian Eyob Faniel was second in 28:08 and equalled national record. US Paul Chelimo who wanted to go for the national record was third in 28:13. Fourth Dutch Mike Foppen 28:14 and fifth Ouassim Oumaiz 28:35.
BURNIE (AUS, Dec 31): Two days after his world mile lead, Stewart McSweyn almost made up a 255m headstart to clock 4:00.68 in the handicap mile at the South Cape Burnie New Year’s Eve Carnival. He was second across the line, 0.38 behind Troy Atkins. Following his 3:50 in Penguin, he said: “It probably took a little bit out of me, just because it meant so much to run well in that first one. It’s hard backing up off two days, but it’s good practice for what I’m going to have to do at the major championships. It’s fun being in there though, Troy was awesome out there, especially holding on off that mark with it being so windy out there.” Hana Basic won the 120m “Gift” sprint in 13.94. Running off a 1m handicap, she won by a hundredth from Jessica Lyndon (12.5m). Aaron Leferink won the men’s event, clocking 12.29 off a 5.5m handicap. Jack Hale had earlier ran 12.52 for second off scratch in his semi-final but was a DNS in the final.
