Hardloopnieuws

Tadesse wil ook in cross-seizoen vlammen

Zersenay Tadesse the Olympic 10000 metres bronze medallist is the first top star to commit himself to competing in next years Great Edinburgh International Cross Country on January 14, 2006.

The 23-year-old Eritrean returns to the demanding Holyrood Park venue where he competed in last years thriller and despite his pedigree after finishing third in Athens, was pushed into sixth position.”That shows the quality of the first staging of the Great Edinburgh International Cross Country outside of the north east of England,” said Matthew Turnbull, the elite athletes director.But Tadesse built on his defeat in what was considered to be the strongest non-championship cross country meeting of the season, when placing a brilliant runner-up in the IAAF World Championships long course race in March.Then in the autumn he scored a runaway victory in the BUPA Great North Run, breaking Paul Tergats world best performance for the half marathon on Tyneside by a second with a time of 59minutes 05seconds.Now Tadesse is already showing good form before the New Years event and in his first competition since the Great North Run, won the “25th Cross Internacional Castellano-Manchego” last Sunday in Spain.

Topwedstrijden
Turnbull insisting he will be aiming to match the top notch fields he assembled for this years meeting, spoke enthusiastically of that BBC televised meeting last January.He said: “Eliud Kipchoges win was an awesome feat but even more significant was the victory of Tirunesh Dibaba who by less than a second held off the then reigning World Cross champion Benita Johnson.”Lets also remember following her success, Dibaba went on to win both the World long and short course races in St Galmier for Ethiopia – a feat only ever achieved previously by Sonia OSullivan.”Then in the summer she took both the World 5000 and 10000 metres track gold medals – an unbelievable achievement for any athlete, even more so considering she is still just 20-year-old.”Nick McCormicks storming win in the short course race prepared him for the year ahead which he finished as the fastest miler in Europe.”Turnbull added: “Haile Gebrselassie, Kenenisa Bekele, Paul Tergat, Derartu Tulu, Paula Radcliffe and Liz McColgan have over the years all competed in the international cross country.

Groot succes
“The stature of being the countrys premier event, helps in particular to attract the overseas stars to run in it and Im sure that will be the case again for 2006.”Turnbull also pointed out the former BUPA Great Caledonian Run, now renamed the BUPA Great Edinburgh Run for 2006, in May was a resounding success and produced surprise winners in Juan Carlos de la Ossa and Jelena Prokopcuka.He said: “It was good to see European athletes take the top honours and surprise their African rivals. It was good for the sport, showing it is achievable.”Lets also remember Prokopcuka went on to have a marvellous year culminating with her winning the New York marathon at the beginning of the month when Derartu Tulu who she beat in the “Caly” was third.”Turnbull admitted he is hoping to see the 29-year-old Latvian return to Edinburgh on May 7. “Why not – shes the defending champion and we always invite them back.”Both the Great Winter Run, the Great Edinburgh International X Country and the BUPA Great Edinburgh Run are supported by EventScotland and the City of Edinburgh Council.

Schotland
David Williams, CEO of EventScotland commented “It is welcome news that Scotland will again host some of the worlds best cross country athletes in January. The EventScotland three year investment in the Great Edinburgh International Cross Country and Great Winter Run is contributing to this events growing success and awareness as an essential fixture in the athletics calendar. This years enlarged programme means an improved event for competitors and spectators while the television rights secured will ensure further positive exposure of Scotland as a destination. This is all part of our overall strategy to position Scotland as an unrivalled host of mass participation and elite sporting occasions.” Cllr Ricky Henderson, executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure at The City of Edinburgh Council said: “The 5km road run is suitable for runners of all abilities, and expresses well the councils vision to make Edinburgh the most physically active city in Europe by 2020, as part of its Sport and Physical Recreation Strategy ‘A Capital Commitment to Sport.The Great Edinburgh International X Country and the Great Winter Run will take place in Holyrood Park on Saturday 14th January 2006.
Three international elite races will be staged and televised live on BBC Grandstand. The first ever Tesco Junior Great Winter Run will also take place in and around Holyrood Park, this 2km (approx) multi terrain course is for children aged 7 – 13 years of age.

© Great Run