The third annual Breclav Mizuno Mile ended on Saturday (30 Sep) with African triumphs. Competing on a hot afternoon, Kenyan runners were top three in the men's category and two Africans were also top on the women's side.
With five Kenyans, the men's race proved quite fierce. Beijing Steeplechase medalist Bisluke Kipkorir was running at the top and tried to control the race along with his training mate, Ronald Kipchumba, another steepler. But Erich Chirchir, who last weekend was succesfull at Italian Club Championships, had the best finish and won in surprisingly quick time, breaking the tape with a course record 3:58.
Hungary's Goteborg 5000m finalist Krisztina Papp tried to control the pace, but was not quick enough in the second part of the race. In a close finish Morrocan Ibtissam Lakhouad beat to the finish line the African championships finalist Beatrice Jepchumba from Kenya, clocking 4:39, a second in front of the Kenyan. "I felt the shape, but it was a tough finish. I hope to come back to Czech Republic," said Lakhouad, who is living and training in France.
In total 450 ran in all categories the road mile. Elite categories also brought a new participants record with nearly 50 runners from 10 countries.
Alfons Juck for the IAAF
Results:
MEN -
1. Erich Chirchir (KEN) 3:58 – course record
2. Ronald Kipchumba (KEN) 3:59
3. Bisluke Kipkorir (KEN) 4:00
4. Vasyl Tsikalo (UKR) 4:00
5. Domenico Ricatti (ITA) 4:01
6. Rafal Snochowski (POL) 4:03
7. Angel Velasco (ESP) 4:04
8. Isaac Tanui (KEN) 4:05
9. Zdenìk Medlik (CZE) 4:06
10. Volodymyr Kyts (UKR) 4:07
WOMEN -
1. Ibtissam Lakhoud (MAR) 4:39
2. Beatrice Jepchumba (KEN) 4:40
3. Krisztina Papp (HUN) 4:46
4. Lucie Mullerova (CZE) 4:49
5. Olena Bondar (UKR) 4:50
6. Jasminka Guber (BIH) 4:55