Portugal’s Analídia Torre and the Kenyan David Kilel were the winners of the ‘Cross International Torres Vedras’ - EAA XC Permit meet – today, one of the last races before the European Championships, to be held in Medulin, Croatia, on 8 December.
Because of the rain of the last few days, the athletes found a course full of mud and as a consequence the race was slowly run. This was not a problem for the Portuguese winner of the women’s race, on the contrary Analídia Torre (17:45) was obviously very pleased with the victory, which confirmed her place in Portugal's team for the European champs.
"I'm very satisfied. I really enjoy hard courses, with mud, such as this one. Now, I promise to keep improving for the European Championships."
Aniko Kalovics (HUN) was second (17:47), just two seconds behind first place, and Marina Bastos (POR) was third (17:52).
Portugal’s 1997 World 1500m champion Carla Sacramento started well, but later struggled and finished in a distant tenth position (18.32).
In the men event, the Kenyans led once again, just like they have in the rest of the Portuguese cross country races this season. David Kilel was first (29:49), Moses Mosop second (29:51) and Philipe Kipkoech third (29:59).
The first non Kenyan home was Portugal’s Helder Ornelas (fourth, 30:04).
Finally, a mention for the "veteran" Domingos Castro, who also took his chance of running with the Kenyans, ending up sixth - a position that could guarantee him yet another place in a Portuguese team for the European championships.
Paulo Costa for IAAF
Results
Woman(5,200 m)
1. Analidia Torre POR 17.45
2. Aniko Kalovics HUN 17.47
3. Marina Bastos POR 17.52
4. Inês Monteiro POR 17.54
5. Anália Rosa POR 17.58
6. Jessica Augusto POR 18.01
7. Fernanda Miranda POR 18.04
8. Helena Sampaio POR 18.17
9. Ana Paula Oliveira POR 18.24
10.Carla Sacramento POR 18.32
Men(10,030 m)
1. David Kilel KEN 29.49
2. Moses Mosop KEN 29.51
3. Philipe Kipkoech KEN 29.59
4. Helder Ornelas POR 30.04
5. José Ramos POR 30.23
6. Domingos Castro POR 30.26
7. Paulo Gomes POR 30.28
8. Alberto Maravilha POR 30.41
9. Ricardo Ribas POR 30.44
10. Augusto Gomes FRA 30.48