Dorcus Inzikuru of Uganda wins in Oeiras (© Marcelino Almeida)
Oeiras, PortugalThe IAAF cross country permit meeting series 2006/07 got off to a good start in Oeiras, yesterday (11), with a Kenyan win in the men’s race taken by Peter Kamais, while the women's contest was dominated by World 3000m Steeplechase champion Dorcus Inzikuru of Uganda.
The race route in Oeiras is spectacular with long hills, and the weather was hot for the season (more than 24 degrees) on a sunny day.
MEN – 9km: Aiming to win in Mombasa
Peter Kamais, an athlete based in Algarve, who won the Almond Blossom Cross Country last January, broke away at the front of yesterday’s race after the third kilometre with his country men Peter Muriuki and Kiprono Menjo. This trio continued to dominate until the end with Kamais crossing the line 19 seconds ahead of Muriuki.
For the winner “it was an easy win, because I was very well prepared. I think I will run next weekend in Torres Vedras (EAA XC permit, on 19 November) but then I’ll return to Kenya for training to achieve my goal.” What is the goal… "to win at the World Cross Country Championships!”
The pre-race favourite, Ronald Rutto, the defending Oeiras champion, finished in eighth place, behind four Portuguese - Rui Pedro Silva, Fernando Silva, Paulo Guerra, and Paulo Gomes.
WOMEN – 5km: Dorcus Inzikuru in the last lap
In the women’s race, the Portuguese cross country champion, Jessica Augusto, took a large lead on the rest of the field after the second kilometre. However, in the second of the three laps she slowed and was passed with ease by Dorcus Inzikuru, the World 3000m Steeplechase champion, and by the former Portuguese champion Anália Rosa.
In the last lap, Inzikuru made her strength tell and with a strong finish came home well ahead of Rosa. The last place on the podium was decided in a dramatic sprint between Portugal's Mónica Rosa and Kenyan Alice Chelagat, with the Portuguese woman taking the lead. Early leader Augusto eventually finished in fifth place.
“I am recovering from a left leg injury, and have been training only in the last few days, but luckily I’m not feeling any pain,” said Inzikuru. “This is a hard course but I loved it and it wasn’t a difficult to win. My goal for the season is the World Championship (track) in Osaka, but maybe I compete also in the World Cross Country.”
António Manuel Fernandes for IAAF
VII OEIRAS INTERNATIONAL CROSS (11 Nov.):
Men:
1. Peter Kamais KEN 26:19
2. Peter Muriuki KEN 26:38
3. Kiprono Menjo KEN 26:57
4. Rui Pedro Silva POR 27:02
5. Fernando Silva POR 27:09
6. Paulo Guerra POR 27:16
7. Paulo Gomes POR 27:26
8. Ronald Rutto KEN 27:30
9. Hermano Ferreira POR 27:32
10. José Rocha POR 27:38
Women:
1. Dorcus Inzikuru UGA 17:22
2. Anália Rosa POR 17:35
3. Mónica Rosa POR 17:41
4. Alice Chelangat KEN 17:42
5. Jessica Augusto POR 17:52
6. Leonor Carneiro POR 18:21
7. Ana Dias POR 18:34
8. Magdaline Chemjor KEN 19:09
9. Marisa Barros POR 19:16
10. Carla Martinho POR 19:18