Le Mans, France –  No less than 15,000 runners took part in 48 Cross Country races spread in various categories this weekend at the 27th edition of Cross Ouest-France Pays-de-la-Loire in Epau’s wood in Le Mans.

Driss El Himer captured his 3rd victory in the “Ace” race, but it was by the narrowest margin as the first four men were finished in three second lapse time. Linet Masai, the World Junior champion, won the women's race handily.

Bernard Kiplagat opened the 9.4km contest with a quick pace, chased by fellow Kenyans Wilson Kiprop and Peter Muriuki. With three laps to go, Frenchman Driss El Himer joined the head of the race as the Kenyans struggled to maintain the pace.

“The race went out very fast, my tactic was to follow the Kenyans, and I managed to catch them as they faded,” said El Himer, the Morrocco native whose speed made the difference over the last metres to cross the finish line one second ahead of Kiplagat. The winner in Le Mans in 1999 and 2003, he matched the victory record held by Belgian Vincent Rousseau (in 1986, 1991, 1993).

El Himer targeting Marathon in Beijing

El Himer resumed his Olympic preparation for the Marathon in Beijing mid-October, two weeks after his withdrawal from the Berlin Marathon after 34km. 2007 was a dodgey year as he had to stop in the Paris Marathon as well in April because of a foot injury.

Assurance returned during the Corrida in Houille on 30 December, as he took sixth place with a satisfying 28:37 time for 10km. The 1.78m and 62kg runner thus arrived in Le Mans in the best condition.

“I’m now looking forward to the French Championships (2 March in Laval, with the aim to match Noël Tijou’s record of seven titles) but my preparation is geared toward a Marathon in April, either on 6th (Paris) or 13 (Rotterdam or London). The Le Mans race is profiled for 5000 and 10,000m runners. I hope to set the qualification standard for Olympic Games.”

His personal best stands at 2:06.48 since 2003 while 2:10:30 is required to be selected.

“Last year was tainted by injuries, so since I’m self-coached I did some modifications in my training and I’m cautious about the reaction of my body,” explained the 33-year-old. “I’m targeting a time around 2:08-2:07 in April.”

Bernard Kiplagat, 19, struggled to join Le Mans as he came from the north of Kenya on Friday via London after an eight hour car trip and finally arrived in France the day before the race. With a 7:37.69 reference at 3000m outdoors last year, he is scheduled to run outdoors.

Solo performance by Masai

The women’s race was a solo run from Kenya’s World Junior Cross Country champion Masai, 18, who has a 14:55.50 personal best at 5000m to her credit. Second in Edinburgh last week, she proved her great current shape in leading from the beginning to win the 5.1km circuit with a comfortable 27 second margin over Bouchra Ghezielle. Le Mans was Ghezielle’s first competition since May 2007, and the only Cross Country competition for her this year, as the 1500m bronze medallist in 2005 will focus on indoor races.

P. J. Vazel for the IAAF

Leading Results:

MEN (9.4km) -
 1. Driss El Himer, FRA    26:19
 2. Bernard Kiplagat, KEN  26:20
 3. Wilson Kiprop, KEN     26:21
 4. Peter Muriuki, KEN     26:22
 5. Mokhtar Benhari, KEN   26:36
 6. Khoudir Aggoune, ALG   26:45
 7. Wilson Busienei, KEN   26:54
 8. Saïd Berioui, FRA      27:02
 9. James Theuri, FRA      27:02
10. Simon Munyutu, FRA     27:14
 
WOMEN (5.1km) -
 1. Linet Masai, KEN                15:22
 2. Bouchra Ghezielle, FRA          15:49
 3. Martha Komu, KEN                15:52
 4. Julie Coulaud, FRA              15:54
 5. Saadia Bourgailh-Haddioui, FRA  16:13
 6. Nadia Ejjafini, BRN             16:21
 7. Habiba Ghribi, TUN              16:37
 8. Miriam Wangari, KEN             16:48
 9. Christine Bardelle, FRA         16:48
10. Alice Serser, KEN               16:50