David Kilel dominates in Amora (© Amora organisers)
Lisbon, PortugalOn Sunday (23) the Portuguese athletics family hosted face one of the most popular cross country races in our country – the International Cross of Amora – on the south margins of the Tagus river. Although it wasn’t as competitive as usual, the races provided two solid solo performances, with David Kilel and Ana Dias achieving victories from the gun.
Men’s race –
In the men’s event, the Kenyan Kilel, who has been a regular presence in Portuguese cross and road races, made his definitive effort in the first of the course’s five laps building a 20 metre advantage from the pursuit group and maintained that advantage before fading over the final lap to win in 31:18, seven seconds ahead of the Portuguese Sergio Silva, a duathlon (bike and run) specialist. Rui Teixeira achieved the third degree of the podium.
With spectacular weather (20/21 degrees) and a sunny day, Kilel said he was pleased with his performance, a follow-up to his runner-up showing a year ago.
For the Portuguese runners, the race was an important one, as it was the second contest to select the team for next month’s European Cross Country Championships.
“There are other good runners who can make the team,” said Silva. “I’m only trying to make my preparation for this season in he duathlon and for me, I was proud to run with other runners who are trying to earn a place for Brussels.” The race was dominated by Portuguese runners who also are trying to select the under 23 years and junior teams.
Women’s race -
In the women’s event, Ana Dias, who finished fifth place last week in the Oeiras cross, missing a place on the Portuguese team by just one place (the first four where automatically selected), proved to the crowd that she is in good shape, making a solitary race from the outset. She gained some advantage over the hard course, but in the last lap she just kept the pace to win comfortably.
“After failing to get a place in national team in Oeiras I tried to prove to everyone that I’m in good shape. I think Portugal has six or seven good female runners and I’m trying to be one of those selected for Brussels.”
The podium also included Kenyan Rahab Ndungu (eight in Oeiras last weekend) and the young Ercilia Machado, but both far behind the winner.
Antonio Manuel Fernandes for the IAAF
Leading Results -
Men (10 km):
1. David Kilel KEN 31.18
2. Sérgio Silva POR 31.25
3. Rui Teixeira POR 31.30
4. Hermano Ferreira POR 31.37
5. Nuno Costa POR 31.38
6. António Silva POR 32.01
7. Yousef El Kalai MAR 32.01
8. Ruben Brás POR 32.05
Women (5 km):
1. Ana Dias POR 17.45
2. Rahab Ndungu KEN 18.03
3. Ercilia Machado POR 18.20
4. Natalia Popokova RUS 18.31
5. Solange Jesus POR 18.48
6. Doroteia Peixoto POR 18.55
7. Ana Ferreira POR 19.07
8. Tania Silva POR 19.20
