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Kigen now turns his focus to Olympic qualification, following his last cross country event of the season.

Antrim, Northern Ireland - Kenya's Mike Kigen led throughout as he claimed his third senior title in succession at today's 35th Antrim International - an IAAF Cross Country Permit meeting (20) - with Ireland's Fionnuala Britton taking the honours in the women's race.

 

Kigan turned in an excellent performance, despite strong winds and rain and heavy underfoot conditions over the 10.8km course. He posted a winning time of 34:48, with 28 seconds to spare over fellow countryman and World Youth silver medallist Patrick Mutunga (35:16).

There was a hat-trick of podium places for Kenya, with Bernard Rotich a further five seconds adrift in third spot (35:21).

Kigen's triumph ensures a 20th first place finish for an African athlete over the last 21 years of the Antrim event. Indeed the first five finishers today were all from Africa.

"I think today was the toughest of the three years," said Kigen after the race. "The second lap I had problems because of the rain. I was feeling the wind when I was coming from this side, it was tough.”

"When I start the race I normally push from the first kilometre, so that I can get a chance to be alone in front."

Kigen now turns his focus to Olympic qualification, following his last cross country event of the season.

"My objective is to train and try and make the Kenyan team for the Olympics. In Kenya to make the team it is difficult so I have to try harder.

"Then maybe this year I will try to run 58 minutes in the half marathon. My priority to run the 10,000m at the Olympics so there will be no more cross country races this season."

Joe McAlister was the first of the home athletes to cross the finish line in a time of 38:01, ten seconds ahead of Andrew Agnew.

Women

Recently-crowned European Cross Country champion Fionnuala Britton was victorious in the senior women's event, clocking 19:32 over the 5.6km course..

Here in Greenmount spectators were gripped throughout the race by the intense battle between the 27-year-old Irish steeplechaser and her English counterpart Gemma Steel, whom she beat recently in Edinburgh.

It was neck and neck throughout this race, until Britton pulled away during the final lap to take victory, with seven seconds to spare.

Full article at iaaf.org

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